Page 26 - Dainfern Precinct Living Issue 4 May 2024

Today's Child
NATURE

BEYOND SOLAR

FOURWAYS THERE IS A SYSTEM FOR EVERY NEED AND EVERY BUDGET.

In-House Product Vast Product

Specialist Range

Biological agent for water hyacinth SUPASOL ALL-IN-ONE
SOLUTION LS-AIO-3.5K-5KWH

3.5KW | 25.6VDC | 1PH
NOW ONLY

R 25,729 57 5.12KWH | ESS C/W INV.
AND LIFEP04 BATTERY
Excl VAT
R29,589.00 Incl VAT
Valid until 30 June 2024

Megamelus feeding on water hyacinth

the rate of growth of the invasive plants usually exceeds the
control efforts, resulting in inefficiency in control. It is also 3 5
labour intensive.
YEAR YEAR
BATTERY
INVERTER
CHEMICAL WARRANTY WARRANTY
Chemical control refers to the application of registered and
approved herbicides directly to the IAPs, with the aim of
suppressing and subsequently killing them. For the process to
be most effective, the choice of herbicides, correct application
method, dosage, time of application and follow-up actions Development stage of water lettuce
are important. Improper use can result in the persistence of
these herbicides in the water, leading to further ecosystem
degradation.
the VRBR, encompasses a combination of the three methods
BIOLOGICAL as a strategy to control and reduce the plant populations in the
Biological control refers to the use of host-specific natural system. In essence, mechanical removal will be employed to
enemies of the IAPs to reduce the population(s) to an remove dense mats of these weeds in the mid to lower stream
acceptable/aesthetically pleasing level. Host-specific of the river, whilst upstream areas, covered by dense mats will
biocontrol agents do not interfere with the indigenous flora be sprayed with registered and approved herbicides (by the
and fauna, as these feed predominantly on the IAPs, where the relevant departments), following a stringent method which
disappearance of the said IAPs would entail the disappearance aims to limit the contact of the herbicide to the plants, and not
of the biocontrol agent. An example of this is the weevils the water.
that have been released at the Vaal River Barrage Reservoir
to counteract the exponential growth of water lettuce via Follow up mechanical removal will then be conducted to
herbivory. The weevils damage the plant material, inhibiting ensure that these do not further add to the nutrient load of the
further growth and reproduction of the plant, and reducing the system, as they submerge in the water post-spraying. In the
population therein. longer-term, biocontrol agents will also be released to aid in
the control of these large mats, particularly in tributaries and 011 465 9802 www.acdcexpress.com
INTEGRATED slow-moving parts of the river, creating a population of weevils
An integrated control method, as employed by Rand Water at that will then actively control the VRBR, biologically. Shop 10, 16 Sunset Ave, Fourways,
Sandton, 2194
24 DPL issue 4 2024