Study

Management of Hydrocotyle ranunculoides L.f., an aquatic invasive weed of urban waterways in Western Australia

  • Published source details Ruiz-Avila R.J. & Klemm V.V. (1996) Management of Hydrocotyle ranunculoides L.f., an aquatic invasive weed of urban waterways in Western Australia. Hydrobiologia, 340, 187-190.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Floating pennywort: Physical removal

Action Link
Control of Freshwater Invasive Species

Floating pennywort: Combination treatment using herbicides and physical removal

Action Link
Control of Freshwater Invasive Species
  1. Floating pennywort: Physical removal

    A before-and-after study from 1991 to 1992 in a river in Western Australia (Ruiz-Avila & Klemm 1996) found that a two-week program of physical removal did not reduce floating pennywort Hydrocotyle ranunculoides biomass.  Following the removal program in late 1991, by September 1992 the estimated biomass of floating pennywort in the river had increased from an initial 175 tonnes to 420 tonnes.  Control attempts in 1991 involved a two-week programme of physical removal by cutting the floating mats of floating pennywort with sickles from small boats.  The mats were then pushed by small boats to an aquatic harvester, floated to the bank and removed by a backhoe.   Follow up maintenance control was continued until January 1992, when growth rates exceeded the rate of removal.

  2. Floating pennywort: Combination treatment using herbicides and physical removal

    A before-and-after study from 1993 to 1994 in a river in Western Australia (Ruiz-Avila & Klemm 1996) found that a combination of cutting followed by glyphosate chemical treatment, removed approximately 2,000 tonnes of floating pennywort Hydrocotyle ranunculoides.  Floating pennywort mats were cut with sickles from small boats. The boats pushed mats to a conveyor harvester and mats were then floated to the bank, where they were removed. After most of the weed had been removed, the chemical glyphosate (Tradename Roundup) was applied along the banks at a rate of 360 g/ha of active ingredient in 1993 and 450 g/ha in 1994. The amount of floating pennywort removed was estimated from the number of truckloads. The area was monitored to assess re-infestation of floating pennywort and assess water quality.  No further details were available.

     

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