Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings collection

 

Title

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF STRYCHINIE LACED ALFALFA ON POCKET GOPHER ACTIVITY IN DIAMOND VALLEY, NEVADA

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

March 1986

The Townsend pocket gopher, (Thomomys townsendi), poses a serious economic threat to alfalfa production in Diamond Valley, Nevada. Many control methods have been practiced with only limited or seasonal success. Application of strychnine-treated alfalfa hay has been an effective control method; however, the relationship between strychnine concentration and pocket gopher kill has not been examined. This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of three concentrations (0.5%, 1.0% and 1.7%) of strychnine-treated alfalfa hay baits. The three strychnine levels and untreated control were replicated three times on twelve 0.8-ha (2.0-ac) plots. Plots were located on a 6-year-old stand of sprinkler irrigated alfalfa. Pocket gopher activity, (mound count census method), was monitored pre- and post-treatment to estimate bait effectiveness. Data were evaluated by regression analysis of variance. Average percent changes in gopher activity were +24%, -40%, -78% and -69% for treatments 0%, 0.5%, 1.0% and 1.7%, respectively. There was a significant (P<0.01) negative effect of strychnine concentration on pocket gopher activity.