LANTANA CAMARA L.

Integrated Weed Management Strategies for Lantana camara L. in Australia, South Africa and America



Integrated Weed Management Strategies for Lantana camara L. in Australia, South Africa and America

Introduction

Lantana (Lantana camara L.) is branched like a thicket shrub and mostly spreads from gardens to pastures and woodlands (environment.gov.au, 2003).The plant is usually found in the tropical regions, sub tropics and warm temperate areas of the world.Lantana is an invasive weed that quickly spreads in the areas it is present. Since its presence now worldwide, it has naturalized in over fifty countries and is considered as the worst weeds (Holm et al. 1977). Despite control efforts made throughout many countries, it continues to threat the eco system and many species are under its risk of invasion. Lantana is considered as an aggressive weed, which grows fast and can endure different environmental conditions. However, it is best suited for humid regions where it forms thickets and take over pastures and bush area of east coast of Australia, Hawaii and South Africa. Lantana strives for resources and reduces the essential nutrients available for pastures and other plants in the forest (environment.gov.au, 2003). Further, it helps like a fuel in conditions of fire and is toxic for stock. It is considered as a serious threat to bio diversity in many of the heritage areas of the world. Many kinds of plants and animal species that need to be protected are under significance threat from this plant. It has the ability to cross pollinate and thus, it spreads the weed varieties to form new resilient ones.

This paper demonstrates the presence of Lantana camara L. across Australia (South East Queensland), South Africa (Cape Town) and tropical America (Mexico), the control methods used and the reasons for failure to control this weed (Day &Nesar. 1999).Lantana is considered a weed of National Significance in Australia. It is considered as one of the worst weeds in the area because of its invasive nature, capability to spread and the impacts it has on the environment.According to the current estimates Lantana has invaded more than five million hectares in Australia and two million in South Africa (Ana, T., 2011).

The active management of the weed started in the early 20th Century in Australia, America and late in South Africa (Anna, T. 2011). There were various methods used to control the weed, which were with fire, mechanical removal and control through chemicals and biological means. In some parts the combination of these methods were successful, however, it was seen that Lantana continued to spread despite control methods. This paper will critique the IWM strategies that are currently undertaken within the selected invaded locations which are the Queensland, Cape Town andMexico.The strategies will be comparedand assessed for their environmental and economic strengths, weaknesses, future problems andpotential improvements, taking into account the varying economic statuses and climatic conditions of different countries.

Methodology

A weed greatly reduces the crop yields. They compete with crops to gain moisture, light and other nutrients from the ...