Root versus shoot measurements to evaluate recovery of Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) after several years of control treatments

Several methods were compared for estimating long-term control of Canada thistle [Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop.] after ending several years of herbicide treatment. Simple linear regression equations using shoot density m−2, numbers of adventitious root buds, or root fresh weight, measured in late summer after several years of herbicide treatment, were equally accurate in estimating Canada thistle shoot density m−2 in early June of the following year (R2 = 0.77–0.81). In contrast, shoot density m−2 measured in late summer estimated shoot density m−2 in late summer of the following year more accurately (R2 = 0.93) than did either root growth variable (R2 values = 0.80–0.83). Key words: Adventitious root buds, perennial weed, root