Stemming the tide of invasive weeds with herbicide capsules

Date:
December 2, 2021
Source:
University of Queensland
Summary:
An innovative herbicide delivery system could revolutionize the
way agricultural and environmental managers battle invasive weeds.



FULL STORY ==========================================================================
An innovative herbicide delivery system could revolutionise the way agricultural and environmental managers battle invasive weeds.


==========================================================================
The ingenious method uses herbicide-filled capsules drilled into the
stems of invasive woody weeds and is safer, cleaner and as effective as herbicide sprays, which can have negative health impacts on workers and surrounding areas.

PhD candidate Amelia Limbongan from The University of Queensland's School
of Agriculture and Food Sciences said the method was highly effective
against a wide variety of weed species, which pose a major threat to
farming and grazing systems.

"Woody weeds such as Mimosa bush stifle pasture growth, impede mustering
and cause physical and financial damage to animals and property," Ms
Limbongan said.

"This method of weed control is practical, portable and far more
convenient than other methods and we've already seen several professional operators and councils adopting the approach." The portability and
convenience of the system, coupled with its proven efficacy and safety,
meant the encapsulated herbicide could be used in a variety of settings
and locations worldwide.



========================================================================== "This method uses 30 per cent less herbicide to kill weeds, and is just
as effective as more labour-intensive approaches, which will save valuable
time and money for farmers and foresters," Ms Limbongan said.

"It could also lead to better management of weeds in agricultural and environmental systems across the globe, while also protecting workers
by practically eliminating their exposure to harmful herbicides.

"There is a great market for this technology in countries where invasive
weeds are a problem and where forestry is an industry, which would be
almost every country." Professor Victor Galea said the process used a mechanical applicator called the InJecta, that quickly drilled a hole in
the stem of the woody weed, implanting a dissolvable capsule containing
the dry herbicide and sealing the capsule into the stem with a wooden
plug, bypassing the need to spray over large areas of land.

"The herbicide is then dissolved by plant sap and kills the weed from the inside and, due to the small amount of herbicide used in each capsule,
causes no leakage," Professor Galea said.

"Another reason why this delivery system is so useful is that it
protects non- target plants, which are often damaged through accidental
contact when using traditional methods such as spraying." Researchers
are continuing to trial the capsule method on several different weed
species and have a number of similar products in line for distribution,
which will help farmers, foresters and environmental managers eliminate invasive weeds.

"One of the products tested in this research paper, Di-Bak G (glyphosate),
is already being sold in Australia along with the applicator equipment
and can be purchased through agricultural supplies outlets across the
country," Professor Galea said.

"Three more products are being prepared for
registration and we plan to expand this range over time." ========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_Queensland. Note:
Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Amelia A. Limbongan, Shane D. Campbell, Victor J. Galea. Novel
Encapsulated Herbicide Delivery Mechanism: Its Efficacy in Mimosa
Bush (Vachellia farnesiana) Control. Plants, 2021; 10 (11): 2505
DOI: 10.3390/ plants10112505 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211202141557.htm

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