Water mix for latest threat
Trials are currently underway in the Longreach area on the use of water-based chemicals for the control of an emerging economic and environmental threat to the region, cactus. As well as trying different chemicals, the trials include experimenting with the application rates and techniques.
Desert Channels Queensland’s Weeds and Ferals Project Officer,
Pink dye identifies the chemical used as part of the recent water-based trials
“Chemical is always dear,” he says, “but when you add in the rising cost of diesel, spraying cactus gets to be a big financial burden to landholders.”
“And because you have to spray so much on each plant to get a kill, we’ve been looking at water-based chemicals to see if they are as effective.”
These experiments are very timely given the wide geographic spread of cactus outbreaks and the numerous varieties identified. Cactus species, well-adapted to arid and semi-arid environments have the potential to be an economic and environmental disaster for the west.
Desert Channels Queensland is working with landholders to develop strategic control projects aimed at nipping the problem in the bud. To date, the only cost-effective control method for this prickly pest has been spraying, and DCQ is keen to refine this even further.
“The most obvious difference we noticed in the trial was that mixing and handling water-based mixes was, by far, less messy and easier on gear: no blocked nozzles or leaking seals.”
The trial was conducted on an infestation of Devil’s Rope cactus on the Longreach Town Common by Desert Channels Queensland and the Longreach Shire Council.
Mr Carlsson says that as part of the trial, five transects where flagged and each sprayed with a different mix of chemical.
“We’ve done cost comparisons,” he says, “and these show, in general, that it’s about half of the cost of mixing with diesel and sump oil.
“Kill rate is the crucial thing now; we just have to wait a couple of months to see which mix is the most effective.”
One thing is for certain: if these water-based mixes kill the plant, it will be a big step forward in the successful control of this emerging pest in the region.
Further trials are planned on other species of cactus in the region.
