RTRI REPORT Mar. 2007
PAPERS

Vegetation Control by Selective Elimination of Large-size Weed on a Bank with Growth Retardant

Toshio HAYAKAWA


 Weed control along railway lines normally takes place by mowing or herbicide spraying, or by both. Although the mowing effectively prevents weeds from overgrowing, they regrow readily. On the other hands, it is not possible to spray herbicides near residential areas or farmlands in view of environmental issues. The growth retardant, bispyribac-sodium, inhibits the biosynthesis of amino acids in plants, and it is lethal for some species of weeds. The author tried to control weed flora in addition to growth retardation with the chemical. After three years treatment, large-size weeds such as goldenrod and mugwort were eliminated and foxtail and Southern crabgrass occupied. These vegetation changes had also brought decrease of a total weed biomass. These results indicate the growth retardant is available to a long-term vegetation control along railway lines.


* Full papers of RTRI Report are written in Japanese.

Copyright (c) 2007 Railway Technical Research Institute