Sesbania Punicea (Brazilian Rattlebox) Management Information
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Sesbania punicea (Brazilian rattlebox) Management Information Prepared by the IUCN SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group Contents 1.0 Introduction...................................................................................................Page 1 2.0 Preventative Measures..................................................................................Page 1 3.0 Physical Control............................................................................................Page 2 4.0 Chemical Control...........................................................................................Page 2 5.0 Physical / Chemical Follow Up Techniques ................................................Page 3 6.0 Biological Control...........................................................................................Page 3 7.0 References.......................................................................................................Page 4 8.0 Appendix...........................................................................................................Page 6 1.0 Introduction Commonly known as Brazilian rattlebox, Sesbania punicea is a deciduous, leguminous shrub that grows up to 4m tall (Hoffmann & Moran, 1998). It has been widely distributed from its native range in South America as an attractive ornamental species (Hoffmann & Moran, 1991a; Csurhes & Edwards, 1998). Escapes from cultivation have led to naturalisation in some areas as in southern United States and South Africa; where it has formed dense thickets in riparian and wetland areas excluding native species and altering water flows (Hunter & Platenkamp, 2003). S. punicea is a rapid growing species which produces large amounts of seed capable of long ranged dispersal via water currents (Hunter & Platenkamp, 2003), however, other aspects of its biology may make it vulnerable to some forms of control. These include the reliance on sexual reproduction, being incapable of reproducing vegetatively and a limited seed bank with seeds which do not persist longer than 2-3 years (Hoffmann & Moran, 1998). 2.0 Preventative Measures A Risk Assessment of S. punicea for Hawaii and other Pacific islands was prepared by Dr. Curtis Daehler (UH Botany) with funding from the Kaulunani Urban Forestry Program and US Forest Service. The alien plant screening system is derived from Pheloung et al., (1999) with minor modifications for use in Pacific islands (Daehler et al., 2004). The result is a score of 9.5 and a recommendation of: "Likely to cause significant ecological or economic harm in Hawaii and on other Pacific Islands” as determined by a high WRA score, which is based on published sources describing species biology and behaviour in Hawaii and/or other parts of the world (PIER, 2005). Sesbania punicea was declared noxious in Queensland, Australia in 1994 as a category P1 potential weed; all cultivated specimens designated for retail were subsequently recalled and destroyed (Csurhes & Edwards, 1998). At the time of writing, Queensland was the only state in which the sale of S. punicea was prohibited. Csurhes & Edwards (1998) state that it should be declared noxious in every State and Territory in Australia to ensure that it is not traded as a garden plant and that all cultivated specimens should be removed and destroyed, regardless of their location. 1 Sesbania punicea is not present in New Zealand but it has been included as a “Research Organism” in the Auckland Regional Pest Management Strategy 2007-2012 (Auckland Regional Council, 2007). While this means it is not legally recognised as a pest species with currently no restrictions on its propagation and growth (Auckland Regional Council, 2008), research into the potential threat and dispersal pathways of S. punicea is planned to be carried out to determine whether it is capable of causing at some time a serious adverse and unintended effect under the New Zealand Biosecurity Act (Auckland Regional Council, 2007). 3.0 Physical Control Physical control techniques for S. punicea include the hand pulling of first-year plants and using a weed-wrench for larger individuals (Hunter & Platenkamp, 2003). The effectiveness of physical methods is increased as S. punicea does not produce root sprouts when the shoot is damaged (Hunter & Platenkamp, 2003). The Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency [SAFCA] produced a long term management and maintenance plan for the Dry Creek Watershed in 2007 which describes physical and chemical control options in more detail. The preferred method detailed in this plan is to hand pull small seedlings up to 3 inches in diameter including the roots, and disposing pulled plants in an upland location outside the floodplain (SAFCA, 2007). For the Dry Creek Watershed, this treatment was best applicable for individuals and sparse infestations located over most of the upper watershed (SFACA, 2007). While up to 3 inches in diameter may indicate a large individual, S. punicea is not known to form deep root systems, making pulling relatively easy (Rice, 1998). Alternatively, hand or power tools can be used to first cut down the plant, and then the roots can be dug up later (Buck et al., undated). For heavier infestations located in the lower watershed areas there is likely to be a more developed seed bank (SAFCA, 2007). As such, the SAFCA management plan (2007) state that seedling flushes are expected to be moderate during the first few years of the maintenance program, recommending use of cut and paint techniques and herbicide use. 4.0 Chemical Control Repeated foliar applications of glyphosate based herbicides have been reported to be effective in killing small individuals (under 3 feet high) (Hunter & Platenkamp, 2003). Additionally Erasmus et al. (1996) concluded that when applied to cut stumps, most herbicides would be effective in controlling S. punicea, experimentally showing effective control achieved using 2 % imazapyr product in water, 10 % glyphosate product in water, 0.5 % triclopyr product in diesel and 1.5 % triclopyr product in water (Erasmus et al., 1996). The South African Working for Water program has also developed a list of herbicides for use against S. punicea and other invasive plant species (Table 1 in appendix), including their concentrations, how they should be used and estimated product volume per treated hectare (Working for Water, 2002). As S. punicea is most likely to be found growing close to aquatic habitats, it is recommended that only herbicides approved for use near water are used such as Rodeo™, Aquamaster™ (both glyphosate based) or Garlon 3A™ (triclopyr based) or their generic equivalents (SAFCA, 2007; Buck et al., undated). Cutting and painting using Aquamaster™ was noted as effective in cut and paint techniques in the Dry Creek Watershed as well as spraying 5 % Aquamaster™ mixed with a non-toxic indicator dye in 2 order to more easily identify which plants had been sprayed in the past (SAFCA, 2007; Buck et al., undated). The optimum timing for herbicide application was found to be 1 month after the seasonal water level drop in the creeks (SAFCA, 2007). To prevent adverse effects on the environment, a number of protection measures in addition to using approved herbicides and non-toxic indicator dyes were devised for herbicide application in the Dry Creek Watershed. These include not spraying plants within 25 feet of flowing water during times of greatest use by anadromous fish (October 16 – May 31), using low pressure sprayers with large droplet size applicator nozzles to minimize aerial drift, not using added surfactants with the herbicide used, not using herbicides during wind speeds greater than 10 miles per hour or if rain is likely in the next 24 hours (or otherwise directed by the herbicide label) and not using herbicides if within 50 -100 feet of elderberry shrubs (Sambucus mexicana), the host plant for the federally listed valley elderberry longhorn beetle (Desmocerus californicus dimorphus) (SAFCA, 2007). Herbicides should also be mixed and stored away from streams to prevent contamination and work crews are to be instructed in the proper identification of S. punicea (SAFCA, 2007). 5.0 Physical / Chemical Follow Up Techniques Although the seeds of S. punicea may not persist in seed banks for longer than 2-3 years (Hoffmann & Moran, 1998), seedlings sprouting during seed bank flushes are almost certain to appear following physical and/or chemical control (SAFCA, 2007; Buck et al., undated). As these seedlings are quickly capable of producing more seed, a number of follow up treatments are required (SAFCA, 2007). SAFCA (2007) recommends that at least two full treatments per year for the first three years are required, timed appropriately based on plant observations to prevent the seedlings from flowering and setting seed. While seedlings are easily handpulled, Buck et al. (undated) found the most effective treatment to include three follow-up herbicide treatments using Aquamaster™, the first in late spring to treat cut-stumps followed by a treatment in mid-summer for the first flush of new seedlings and one in early fall for the second flush of seedlings (Buck et al., undated). A technique known as “flaming” or “blanching” was tested in the Dry Creek Watershed and consists of passing a flame over emerging seedlings effectively boiling the plants (SAFCA, 2007). Buck et al. (undated) found this technique to be very effective in controlling emerging seedlings, but not re-sprouting stumps, especially those in areas with a high water table. If utilised, SAFCA (2007) recommends