practice to reduce chemical dose rates but improve efficacy. However, did you know that the adjuvants can kill reptiles by effecting the exchange mechanisms within the skin? A research paper from Canada discovered that 1.2 parts per million of RoundUp in water caused paralysis in tadpoles after 24 hours and death after 96 hours (Bruce Pauli - Canada). 2,4-D amine is a herbicide
approved for use on or adjacent to water, yet on the product label is described as poisonous to fish. So who is right and who is wrong? In a roundabout sort of way this leads me back to where I first started some months ago. We know we have a problem with weeds and we know how to deal with it, but is it that simple? The answer is definitely no. As an industry we need to be
researching and developing methods of weed control that are long term sustainable. Weed control and application of herbicides should be seen as a last line of defence. Why
ent and NANCE
create the problem in the first place? Ragwort is spread seemingly everywhere throughout the country and millions is spent every year on chemical and manual control, yet the problem never goes away. By taking a step back and looking at the reasons as to why the epidemic is there it should give us all the answers as to how to prevent the need for chemical control.
Good management, good
housekeeping and general awareness of the possible problems should be considered as a basic risk assessment, and undertaken before any maintenance regime is set in place. We all do risk assessments for machinery that is potentially dangerous, but very few of us even consider the consequence of our actions when it comes to herbicides or even planting schemes. As I sit in my office on the Cambridge Science Park, I look out of the window and see a number of potentially invasive species all of which have been planted as part of the landscaping scheme and all for reasons thought to be for the benefit of the local area. These include Ailanthus altissima (Tree of Heaven) Hippophae rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn) and Hedera helix (Common Ivy) to name but a few.
PHILIP RUSTED of tcm looks at the likelihood of
pesticide legislation in the UK
Following on from the previous article on selecting tree species, there are a number that are simply not suitable for planting in open spaces, golf courses and the like. Climate change will allow for a wider variety of tree species, but they may all come at a price - that being the time and expense of managing future infestations as a result of poor selection. Interestingly, the Augusta Golf Course, famed for its shows of Rhododendrons and Azaleas at the start of the major golf season is a good example of appropriate use of weed species. Rhododendrons definitely have their place in the landscape but, if left unmanaged, can result in large monocultures. Indeed, we are all aware of the problems faced with landowners managing Rhododendron ponticum. However, the plant does have the advantage of producing specific mycorrhizal associations in the soil, securing nutrients for itself as a plant but hindering the ability for competition to grow. In theory a planting scheme involving Rhododendrons will look stunning, provide all year round colour and result in reduced use of herbicides to maintain the areas in a weed free condition. However, the subsequent maintenance of the Rhododendron itself may be a different matter all together. A single plant can occupy up to 100m2
if left to its own devices. As vegetation specialists we need to look into a crystal ball and make various assumptions based on past knowledge and research as well as a best guess for the future weather conditions and finances available for ongoing maintenance. One thing we can all be sure of though is that the pesticide regulations are going to become more and more restrictive and we should all be doing what we can to provide regimes suitable for the long term. The use of weed control membranes, mulches, ground cover planting and the like will all benefit us in the long term. Low maintenance tree species will become desirable as labour and machinery costs spiral out of control.
At the end of the day we are all
responsible for keeping this country looking its best. So, make some space available for ecological habitats, create hibernaculars for reptiles by using waste products from the maintenance works undertaken. Improve the environment and reduce your maintenance costs. It’s a win win situation.
For further information on any of the above topics please feel free to contact me on
phil@t-c-m-rd.co.uk or visit the web site
www.t-c-m-rd.co.uk
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