Chemical Control and Salinity Tolerance of Invasive Species Acacia Nilotica (L.) in Puttalam Area
Chemical Control and Salinity Tolerance of Invasive Species Acacia
Nilotica (L.) Willd ex Del. in Puttalam Area
ABSTRACT
Acacia nilotica (L.) Willd ex Del. is an invasive species currently spreading in Puttalam area. It prefers to grow in arid climates with alkaline soil profile. It is becoming a troublesome weed in this area and therefore, the present study was conducted with the objectives of controlling the species by glyphosate application and find out salinity tolerance range in which it grows. Four glyphosate treatments were used including foliage, cut surface, ring bark, coppice shoot application along with a control. Eight bulk soil samples collected from the areas where the species was growing and tested the salinity using electrical conductivity meter. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. It was found that glyphosate foliage application (at 25% concentration) treatment was suitable for complete killing of seedlings. Small and medium size trees up to 15 cm diameter can be controlled by cutting the trees and applying glyphosate (at
25% concentration) to the cut surface immediately after cutting the trees. Ring barking and application of the chemical to the exposed area at the rate of 50% concentration killed 40% of medium trees. Large trees above 15 cm diameter could be controlled only partially even with 50% concentration of glyphosate.
Coppice shoot application of glyphosate to any sized trees was not successful to kill the tree. Species was found to able to grow in salinity levels ranging from low to high.
KEYWORDS: Acacia nilotica, Chemical control, Glyphosate, Invasive species, Soil salinity.
Puttalam to Kalpitiya,
Anuradhapura,
Kurunegala, Colombo and Mannar.
The tree is beneficial for the people living in arid areas. The gum obtained from the stem wounds is used for book binding and pasting of posters. The gum is also used for calico printing and dyeing, as a sizing material for silk and cotton, and
Nilotica (L.) Willd ex Del. in Puttalam Area
ABSTRACT
Acacia nilotica (L.) Willd ex Del. is an invasive species currently spreading in Puttalam area. It prefers to grow in arid climates with alkaline soil profile. It is becoming a troublesome weed in this area and therefore, the present study was conducted with the objectives of controlling the species by glyphosate application and find out salinity tolerance range in which it grows. Four glyphosate treatments were used including foliage, cut surface, ring bark, coppice shoot application along with a control. Eight bulk soil samples collected from the areas where the species was growing and tested the salinity using electrical conductivity meter. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. It was found that glyphosate foliage application (at 25% concentration) treatment was suitable for complete killing of seedlings. Small and medium size trees up to 15 cm diameter can be controlled by cutting the trees and applying glyphosate (at
25% concentration) to the cut surface immediately after cutting the trees. Ring barking and application of the chemical to the exposed area at the rate of 50% concentration killed 40% of medium trees. Large trees above 15 cm diameter could be controlled only partially even with 50% concentration of glyphosate.
Coppice shoot application of glyphosate to any sized trees was not successful to kill the tree. Species was found to able to grow in salinity levels ranging from low to high.
KEYWORDS: Acacia nilotica, Chemical control, Glyphosate, Invasive species, Soil salinity.
Puttalam to Kalpitiya,
Anuradhapura,
Kurunegala, Colombo and Mannar.
The tree is beneficial for the people living in arid areas. The gum obtained from the stem wounds is used for book binding and pasting of posters. The gum is also used for calico printing and dyeing, as a sizing material for silk and cotton, and
References: Anon, (1980). Firewood crops. Shrubs and tree species for energy production Anon, (2003). Weed management guide. pdf. (Accessed 29 May 2009). Karin B., (2005). Acacia nilotica (L.) willd ex Delile. plantzafrica.com/frames/plantsfram.htm.(Ac cessed 17 June 2009). Raju, R.A. (2000). Wild plants of Indian sub continents and their economic use Sheikh, M.I. (1989). Regional wood energy development program in Asia Watts, G. (1972). A dictionary of the forest products of India