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Pond apple (Annona glabra L.) - Investigating novel mechanical control options

Setter, S. D., Setter, M. J., Patane, K.A., Logan, P. and Sydes, D. (2011) Pond apple (Annona glabra L.) - Investigating novel mechanical control options. In: 23rd Asian-Pacific Weed Science Society Conference, 26-29 September 2011, Cairns, Australia.

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Abstract

Pond apple usually occurs in swampy areas, but mechanical control may be a viable option in some locations during drier periods. Two machines, the Positrack™ and the Tracksaw™, have been trialled for initial kill rate, amount of follow-up control required, safety to field operators, cost-efficiency and selectivity (effect on native vegetation), compared to other control options. The Positrack™ is a tracked bobcat with a slasher-type attachment that cuts individual trees off near ground level and mulches them. It has no on-board herbicide application capability and requires an additional on-ground operator to apply herbicide by hand. The Tracksaw™ is a tracked mini-excavator with a chainsaw bar and spray applicator on the boom that cuts individual trees off near ground level and applies chemical immediately to the cut stump, requiring only a single operator. Initial trials were done in infestations of similar sizes and densities at the Daintree (Positrack™) and in Innisfail (Tracksaw™) in late 2009. Kill rates to date are 83% for Positrack™ mechanical, 95% for Positrack™ mechanical plus herbicide, and 78% for the Tracksaw™ combined treatment. If ongoing comparison proves either of these machines to be more cost effective, selective, and safer than traditional control methods, mechanical control methods may become more widely used.

Item Type:Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Business groups:Biosecurity Queensland
Subjects:Science > Invasive Species > Plants > Integrated weed control
Live Archive:28 Nov 2013 01:15
Last Modified:29 Jan 2024 03:31

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