Controlling Woody Weed Chinese Elm (<i>Celtis sinensis</i> Pers.) with Stem-Implanted Herbicide Capsules
Chinese elm [<i>Celtis sinensis</i> Pers.] is an emerging environmental weed naturalised throughout the coastal and riparian (creek-banks, river margins, and streams) regions of eastern Australia. Throughout this introduced range, its management is limited to the application of synthetic...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2022-02-01
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| Series: | Plants |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/11/3/444 |
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| author | Ciara Jade O’Brien Vincent Mellor Victor Joseph Galea |
| author_facet | Ciara Jade O’Brien Vincent Mellor Victor Joseph Galea |
| author_sort | Ciara Jade O’Brien |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Chinese elm [<i>Celtis sinensis</i> Pers.] is an emerging environmental weed naturalised throughout the coastal and riparian (creek-banks, river margins, and streams) regions of eastern Australia. Throughout this introduced range, its management is limited to the application of synthetic herbicides and mechanical clearing operations (terrain and soil type permitting). The current mechanisms of chemical control (basal bark spraying, stem-injection, and cut-stump applications) often result in collateral damage to non-target native species (such as <i>Eucalyptus</i> spp. and <i>Casuarina cunninghamiana</i> Miq.) through herbicidal drift, runoff or leaching into adjacent habitats. This has raised concerns regarding the suitability of synthetic herbicides in ecologically sensitive (e.g., riparian zones, rainforest margins, and woodlands) or low-value habitats, thereby promoting significant developments in the fields of integrated weed management. This study investigated the effectiveness of a novel stem-implantation system for controlling woody weed species in the context of a conserved habitat. A replicated trial (n = 315) was established among a naturally occurring population of <i>C. sinensis</i>. This trial involved the mapping, measurement, and treatment of this invasive species with five encapsulated synthetic herbicides, as well as an untreated control and benchmark treatment (diesel + Access<sup>TM</sup>). A significant effect (<i>p</i> < 0.05) on plant vigour and functional canopy was discerned for each assessment period following trial establishment. The highest incidence of mortality was observed among the individuals treated with glyphosate (245 mg/capsule), aminopyralid and metsulfuron-methyl (58.1 and 37.5 mg/capsule) and picloram (10 mg/capsule), achieving a similar response to the basal bark application of diesel and Access<sup>TM</sup> (240 g/L triclopyr, 120 g/L picloram, and 389 g/L liquid hydrocarbon). This was also evidenced by a rapid reduction in functional canopy (i.e., no or little living leaf tissue) from three weeks after treatment. Unlike their industry counterparts, these encapsulated herbicides are immediately sealed into the vascular system of the target species by a plug. This significantly minimises the possibility of environmental or operator exposure to synthetic compounds by providing a targeted, readily calibrated herbicide application. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T23:18:20Z |
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| id | doaj.art-34f947123d7f422ebb9f4261cbee3479 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2223-7747 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T23:18:20Z |
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| spelling | doaj.art-34f947123d7f422ebb9f4261cbee34792023-11-23T17:32:06ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472022-02-0111344410.3390/plants11030444Controlling Woody Weed Chinese Elm (<i>Celtis sinensis</i> Pers.) with Stem-Implanted Herbicide CapsulesCiara Jade O’Brien0Vincent Mellor1Victor Joseph Galea2School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Gatton Campus, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, AustraliaSchool of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Gatton Campus, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, AustraliaSchool of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Gatton Campus, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, AustraliaChinese elm [<i>Celtis sinensis</i> Pers.] is an emerging environmental weed naturalised throughout the coastal and riparian (creek-banks, river margins, and streams) regions of eastern Australia. Throughout this introduced range, its management is limited to the application of synthetic herbicides and mechanical clearing operations (terrain and soil type permitting). The current mechanisms of chemical control (basal bark spraying, stem-injection, and cut-stump applications) often result in collateral damage to non-target native species (such as <i>Eucalyptus</i> spp. and <i>Casuarina cunninghamiana</i> Miq.) through herbicidal drift, runoff or leaching into adjacent habitats. This has raised concerns regarding the suitability of synthetic herbicides in ecologically sensitive (e.g., riparian zones, rainforest margins, and woodlands) or low-value habitats, thereby promoting significant developments in the fields of integrated weed management. This study investigated the effectiveness of a novel stem-implantation system for controlling woody weed species in the context of a conserved habitat. A replicated trial (n = 315) was established among a naturally occurring population of <i>C. sinensis</i>. This trial involved the mapping, measurement, and treatment of this invasive species with five encapsulated synthetic herbicides, as well as an untreated control and benchmark treatment (diesel + Access<sup>TM</sup>). A significant effect (<i>p</i> < 0.05) on plant vigour and functional canopy was discerned for each assessment period following trial establishment. The highest incidence of mortality was observed among the individuals treated with glyphosate (245 mg/capsule), aminopyralid and metsulfuron-methyl (58.1 and 37.5 mg/capsule) and picloram (10 mg/capsule), achieving a similar response to the basal bark application of diesel and Access<sup>TM</sup> (240 g/L triclopyr, 120 g/L picloram, and 389 g/L liquid hydrocarbon). This was also evidenced by a rapid reduction in functional canopy (i.e., no or little living leaf tissue) from three weeks after treatment. Unlike their industry counterparts, these encapsulated herbicides are immediately sealed into the vascular system of the target species by a plug. This significantly minimises the possibility of environmental or operator exposure to synthetic compounds by providing a targeted, readily calibrated herbicide application.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/11/3/444Chinese elmwoody weedweed managementchemical controlstem implantation |
| spellingShingle | Ciara Jade O’Brien Vincent Mellor Victor Joseph Galea Controlling Woody Weed Chinese Elm (<i>Celtis sinensis</i> Pers.) with Stem-Implanted Herbicide Capsules Plants Chinese elm woody weed weed management chemical control stem implantation |
| title | Controlling Woody Weed Chinese Elm (<i>Celtis sinensis</i> Pers.) with Stem-Implanted Herbicide Capsules |
| title_full | Controlling Woody Weed Chinese Elm (<i>Celtis sinensis</i> Pers.) with Stem-Implanted Herbicide Capsules |
| title_fullStr | Controlling Woody Weed Chinese Elm (<i>Celtis sinensis</i> Pers.) with Stem-Implanted Herbicide Capsules |
| title_full_unstemmed | Controlling Woody Weed Chinese Elm (<i>Celtis sinensis</i> Pers.) with Stem-Implanted Herbicide Capsules |
| title_short | Controlling Woody Weed Chinese Elm (<i>Celtis sinensis</i> Pers.) with Stem-Implanted Herbicide Capsules |
| title_sort | controlling woody weed chinese elm i celtis sinensis i pers with stem implanted herbicide capsules |
| topic | Chinese elm woody weed weed management chemical control stem implantation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/11/3/444 |
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