Glyphosate Herbicides Help Eradicate UK’s Invasive Weed

Glyphosate herbicides proved very useful in controlling the spread of an invasive weed, the water primrose (Ludwigia grandiflora), in the United Kingdom (UK). The species has been touted as a nuisance plant because it grows rapidly, blocks waterways, invades shallow lakes, interrupts boat navigation, and negatively affects aquatic life. The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) reported that the plants can double their biomass in just 40 days.

DEFRA announced that the water primrose is now nearly eradicated in UK regions where it has been a problem. DEFRA initiated a project in 2006 to control the spread of the weed using a glyphosate-based herbicide and a glyphosate and 2,4-D amine mixture-based herbicide.

The water primrose is native to South America and was introduced to the UK for horticultural purposes. However, it has escaped garden cultivation and has been rapidly growing in the wild. The successful control of water primrose have demonstrated that glyphosate herbicides are also effective in eradicating non-native aquatic plants and their use may help reduce control costs in the future.

The complete press release can be accessed at http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/issues/2007/environ-0102.htm.
Additional information about the weed control project is at http://www2.defra.gov.uk/research/project_data/More.asp?I=PH0422&M=KWS&V=ludwigia&SCOPE=0