IDAHO FALLS – The recovery of Tex Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA) after the Henry’s Creek Fire will take years. An important first step in the rehabilitation of the habitat is to give native plants like sagebrush a fighting chance against invasive species, especially cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum). On their own native grasses and plants compete poorly after a fire against cheatgrass. In order to hopefully hold back cheatgrass, habitat biologists will be enlisting the aid of a bacteria that has shown promise. Application of these bacteria is done using low-flying helicopters and hunters are being advised that aerial applications could begin on November 7 if conditions are right and continue until conditions are no longer suitable.
The bacteria that is being used as a soil inoculant is called MB906 and is a strain of Pseudomonas fluorescens. This bacteria has been shown to inhibit the root growth of winter annuals such as cheatgrass and renders seed inviable. This bacteria has very specific conditions under which it can grow and the timing of the application is critical. The bacteria requires cool wet weather to establish itself in the soil. If the application works properly, then the cheatgrass could be controlled for as long as five years, giving native bunch grasses and flowers enough time to establish themselves. According to Ryan Walker, Tex Creek District Habitat Manager, “If we cannot control the cheatgrass, we cannot hope to establish sagebrush on this landscape and in the end the primary long-term goal for the fire rehabilitation is the re-establishment of sagebrush.”
Scientists are hoping that this bacteria could prove to be a major weapon in the war against cheatgrass across the west. Local biologists will be working with researchers to expand their knowledge of the bacteria and try to assess how effective it might be in helping to rehabilitate hundreds of thousands of acres of sagebrush step across the West.
To learn more about the Henry’s Creek Fire’s impact on Tex Creek Wildlife Management Area or to volunteer to help, visit: https://idfg.idaho.gov/volunteer/tex-creek-fire
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