Girdling efficiency and optimal cutting depth for the control of two invasive alien woody species in the Argentinian Chaco Serrano

Alien invasive woody species (AIWE) in mountain systems usually have high hydric demand and their rates of propagule production are generally elevated. The suppression of AIWE individuals through girdling should reduce propagule input, lowering their expansion rates and improving the conditions for...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Bernasconi Salazar, Javier, Cora, Amanda, Karlin, Marcos Sebastián, González, Laura
Format: Online
Language:spa
Published: Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias 2018
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Online Access:https://revistas.unc.edu.ar/index.php/agris/article/view/18224
Description
Summary:Alien invasive woody species (AIWE) in mountain systems usually have high hydric demand and their rates of propagule production are generally elevated. The suppression of AIWE individuals through girdling should reduce propagule input, lowering their expansion rates and improving the conditions for native flora competition. The objective of this work was to evaluate the girdling efficiency and the optimal cutting depth over Morus alba L. and Melia azedarach L. mortality. With chainsaw, one or two girdles were made over the main stem in mature individuals of the mentioned species, and after two years, the survival and vigor of the treated individuals were evaluated. For both species the optimal cutting radio was defined through a percentage of the stem diameter: cutting critical threshold varied between 11 and 13 % of the stem diameter. These values assure for M. alba and M. azederach a treatment efficiency higher than 40 %. The single girdling is the most convenient treatment because of its efficiency and because it is cheaper than double girdling.