KRENITE for control of natural regeneration of radiata pine and competing vegetation following wildlife.  G. Minko and L. A. Stephens.  January 1986.  11pp. (unpubl.)

SUMMARY

Results are presented of a study carried out between 1983 and 1985 in the Bright Plantation, North-eastern Victoria, to examine the effectiveness of low rate applications of KRENITE^* for controlling unwanted natural regeneration of radiata pine and competing vegetation in a pine plantation killed by wildfire. KRENITE at rates of 60, 30, 15 and 7.5 L ha^-1 in 200 L ha^-1 water carrier and 1 L ha^-1 surfactant was applied in September 1983 to 10 m² plots in a replicated experiment.

All application rates tested were effective, and even the lowest rate (7.5 L ha^-1) reduced the number of pine seedlings from about 15 000 to 4 000 stems ha^-1. Furthermore, the herbicide prevented delayed germination. The herbicide also significantly (P < 0.01) reduced the oven-dry-weight of indigenous and exotic ground vegetation by about 50% and caused a significant (P < 0.01) initial height loss among surviving pine seedlings.

The advantages of the herbicide include the low concentration of active constituent required for prevention of germination and control of seedlings, the relatively low cost (1985) of about $17 L^-1, and its low toxicity to non-target organisms.

KRENITE is thus considered to be an acceptable herbicide for managing dense, young radiata pine regeneration in fire-affected plantations.

^*Registered Trade Name. Use of trade names does not imply endorsement or approval by the Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands.