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Agave americana (herb, shrub) |
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Management Information
Control of Agave americana is mainly achieved by using a combination of physical and chemical management techniques. Small plants are usually removed manually, while larger plants can be treated manually and/or with herbicide. Effective chemical treatments include cutting down leaves close to the ground and painting the stump immediately with herbicide and injection of herbicide. Follow up treatment may be necessary, especially for larger plants (Bickerton 2006; Ecoscape (Australia) Pty Ltd 2005; Weedbusters 2010).
Location Specific Management InformationAuckland Region (North Island)
A. americana has been included in the Auckland Regional Pest Strategy (2007-2012). While not considered a pest,A. americana is included in Part V of this document, i.e. A. americana is a species requiring further research to determine any possible negative effects on biodiversity in the future (ARPS 2007-2012). The ARC advises residents to control any A. americana plants before they seed. Small plants can be dug out. Large plants can either be injected with herbicide, slashing leaves lengthwise and applying herbicide, or cutting leaves close to the ground and painting stumps immediately with herbicide (ARC 2007). Bay of Plenty Region (North Island)
The Bay of Plenty Regional Council advises that all A. americana plants should be dug out where possible (Bay of Plenty Regional Council 2010). Hawaii
A. americana reproduction and population have been reduced using a combination of physical and chemical management techniques in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Seedlings were uprooted and herbicide applied to mature plants. (Tunison & Zimmer 1992). Malta
A. americana have been controlled by physical means (physical removal) to limit further invasion of coastal cliff areas (The Gaia Foundation 2006). New South Wales
Several councils in New South Wales include A. americana in pest management plans or weed information for residents (including eradication), e.g. Ballina Shire Council, Randwick City Council, Shoalhaven City Council (EnviTE NSW 2005, 2006, Randwick City Coucil 2010; Shoalhaven City Council 2005). New Zealand
A weed risk assessment (WRA) carried out by the NPPA advisory group for A. americana gave a result of 'reject', mostly due to its toxicity and invasive nature. Plants can be difficult to control with herbicide, but can be effectively dug out, along with runners (NPPA 2008). Northland Region (North Island)
A. americana is included in the 'Northland Regional Pest Management Strategies 2010-2015' as a CPCA pest plant. In 2008, Williams carried out risk assessments for A. americana for the Northland region. A. americana received a 'Biological Success and Environmental Impact Rating' of 11, and a score of 12 on Esler's Index of Weediness. The NZ Department of Conservation has controlled several small areas of A. americana in the Northland Region (NPPA 2008; Northland Regional Council 2010; Williams 2008). Rangitoto Is. (North Island)
The Weed Management Plan for Rangitoto, outlined by Wotherspoon and Wotherspoon (2002) indicated that the 5-year aim for A. americana on Rangitoto was zero density. Longterm management goal is complete eradication (Wotherspoon & Wotherspoon 2002). South Australia
In 2005 a trial was carried out on the efficacy of chemical control of A. americana on Yorke Peninsula, as other methods were thought to be unsuitable. Bickerton (2006) found that different herbicides and different methods of application to be a successful means of controlling A. americana. Follow up to initial herbicide treatment was deemed necessary, especially for larger plants. (Bickerton 2006). A. americana requiring control have also been identified in other areas in South Australia. For example, the management plan for Henley South & West Beach Dune Reserve instructed physical removal of any A. americana plants (Cordingley & Petherick 2005). Several cities in South Australia also include A. americana in pest management plans, e.g. Holdfast Bay, Tea Tree Gully (City of Holdfast Bay 2003; City of Tea Tree Gully 2010). Spain
A. americana is undergoing management in three autonomous communities in Spain, and in two protected areas (Andreu et al. 2009). United States (USA)
A. americana has been identified as a species likely to be a pest in Florida, using an adaptation of the Australia/New Zealand Weed Risk Assessment (Gordon et al. 2008). Victoria
Several councils in Victoria include A. americana in pest management plans or weed guides for residents, e.g. The Frankston City Council advises residents not to plant A. americana within 500 m of a natural reserve, waterway or significant environmental region (Frankston City Council undated). Other councils include Banyule City Council, Moyne Shire Council and Parks Victoria (Banyule City Council 2006; Moyne Shire Council 2010; Parks Victoria 2003). Western Australia
The Department of Environment and Conservation carried out control of A. americana at Fitzgerald River National Park in 2008. (DEC WA 2009). Control of A. americana is a high priority for the town of Cottesloe, WA. The North Cottesloe Coastal Management Plan instructs that A. americana plants should be controlled using physical (digging out smalll infestations) and chemical methods (stem inject into base leaves) (Ecoscape (Australia) Pty Ltd 2005). Other councils in Western Australia also include A. americana in pest management plans and/or planting regulations, e.g. Waneroo City Council, Albany City Council, Shire of Manjimup (City of Albany 2009; City of Wanneroo 2002; Shire of Manjimup 2008).
Management Resources/Links
1. Andreu J., Vila M., Hulme P.E. 2009. An assessment of stakeholder perceptions and management of noxious alien plants in Spain. Environmental Management 43: 1244-1255. 4. Bickerton 2006. Using herbicide to control century plant (Agave americana): implications for management. In: C. Preston, J.H. Watts, N.D. Crossman (eds) 15th Australian Weeds Conference Proceedings: managing weeds in a changing climate. Weed Management Society of SA Inc. Pp 219. Results Page: 1
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