Efficacy of bracken (Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn) control treatments across a range of climatic zones in Great Britain

Abstract

SummaryBracken control field experiments were conducted at six locations across Great Britain. The effects of various cutting and herbicide management regimes upon the seasonal dynamics of bracken fronds and rhizomes were examined over a three year period. This enabled a national overview towards bracken control to be constructed. Initially, spraying with asulam was the most effective treatment in reducing frond biomass and density but was least effective in reducing rhizome biomass. Differential reductions in rhizome biomass were observed in relation to cutting frequency, with cutting twice yearly giving superior control. The national trends confirmed a number of previous observations from independent single‐site studies; however, others were contradicted. Comparable management options were ranked consistently between the current and former investigation, however, the initial importance of differences in cutting frequencies did not agree between studies. This multiple‐site study improves understanding of the consequences of a national bracken control programme by reducing the influence of confounding site‐specific factors, and recommendations for the most appropriate bracken control techniques are made. The extent to which individual sites reflect a national trend in response to bracken control is considered and sites are compared. The hierarchy of treatments identified at the national scale was found to apply generally within individual sites. However, several responses which proved significant at the countrywide level were not so clearly defined at the site scale. Cutting once yearly was the only management regime which appeared to give different bracken control between sites. All other treatments gave similar responses between sites. This result was found in the Scottish Borders, during the second year of control, when frond biomass and density (relative to untreated plots) were greater than that recorded at other sites. This contrast was not found in subsequent monitoring. In terms of rhizome biomass depletion, poorer control was achieved following cutting once yearly at the northern sites (Mull, Scottish Borders, Lake District) compared with the southern sites (Clwyd, Breckland, Devon). The implications of experimental results are discussed in relation to increased cost effectiveness of national bracken control programmes.