Controlling dense infestations of parkinsonia (Parkinsonia aculeata L.)

摘要

Parkinsonia (Parkinsonia aculeata L.) is one of the most widely distributed exotic woody weeds in Australia. Large-scale field studies are currently underway to identify integrated control strategies for medium to dense infestations of parkinsonia. Preliminary findings indicate that the five most effective primary control methods (in terms of initial plant mortality) are blade ploughing using either front (93%) or back mounted machines (91%), basal bark spraying (97%), Graslan~(R) (81%) and Velpar L~(R) (97%). Of these, the least expensive to implement were the broad scale blade ploughing (126 dollar and 156 dollar ha~(-1) for front mounted and back mounted ploughs, respectively) and aerially applied Graslan~(R) (180 dollar ha~(-1)) treatments. In contrast, individually applied Velpar L~(R) and basal bark applications averaged 270 dollar ha~(-1) and 412 dollar ha~(-1), respectively. Final recommendations will be deferred until post-treatment seedling regrowth and pasture responses have been quantified and the most appropriate secondary options determined.