Study on the early effects of several weed-control methods on Parthenium hysterophorus L.

Abstract

We carried out a trial in the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park comparing three herbicides and two manual control techniques for controlling the annual weed Parthenium hysterophorus L. The herbicides 2,4-D amine (480 g ai l−1), metsulfuron methyl (600 g kg−1) and picloram (240 g l−1) were tested at three levels each. Manual control comprised hoeing and pulling out parthenium plants by hand. Treatments were applied in mid-December 2006. Surveys were conducted prior to treatment and again in March 2007. The untreated control had a mean mortality of 16% at the end of the growing season, attributed to self thinning. Parthenium mortalities above 80% were achieved with metsulfuron methyl 18–75 g ai ha−1, picloram 270–360 g ai ha−1 and both manual control techniques. Broadleaf species, 10 out of 15 of which were alien, were severely affected by herbicides but alien forbs appeared to benefit by the selective removal of parthenium in the manual control treatments. Native grasses filled the space vacated by broadleaf species in the plots treated with herbicide. However, none of the treatments offered lasting control because parthenium regeneration density a year later was no different to densities at the start of the trial. Successful management of parthenium rests on a strong commitment to follow-up spraying until alternative vegetation has covered and stabilised areas under treatment.