How do you kill tropical soda apple?

More mature or dense infestations may be controlled with the use of herbicides containing aminopyralid. Milestone VM at 7 fluid ounces per acre is an effective method for killing tropical soda apple weed in pastures, vegetable and sod fields, ditches, and roadsides.

Is tropical soda apple poisonous?

What is it? Tropical soda apple is a thorny perennial shrub. It grows from 3-6 ft tall and produces golf-ball size fruits resembling tiny watermelons Caution – its fruit are poisonous to humans.

Why is tropical soda apple bad?

Foliage of tropical soda apple is unpalatable to livestock but cattle and wildlife (deer, raccoons, feral hogs, birds) ingest the fruits and spread the seeds in their droppings (Mullahey et al., 1993; Akanda et al., 1996; Brown et al., 1996).

When did tropical soda apple become a noxious weed?

By 2007 it had spread to nine other south eastern states in the USA, where it is now a Federal Noxious Weed. Tropical soda apple has also naturalised in Africa, India, Nepal, West Indies, Honduras and Mexico and outside its native range in South America.

What kind of tree is a soda apple?

Tropical soda apple (Solanum viarum), is an aggressive, prickly, perennial shrub 1–2 m high. It invades open to semi-shaded areas, particularly pastures and riparian zones, but also forests, roadsides, recreational areas, and horticultural and cropping areas. It reduces biodiversity by displacing native plants and disrupting ecological processes.

Where are tropical soda apples found in Australia?

It was first identified in Australia in the upper Macleay Valley in New South Wales (NSW) in August 2010, however it is believed to have been present in this area for a number of years. Subsequent surveys found infestations at Wingham, Grafton, Bellingen, Coffs Harbour, Bonalbo, Casino, Murwillumbah and Wauchope.

Which is the best herbicide to use for TSA?

The best herbicide options for TSA in pastures are picloram + fluroxypyr, picloram + 2,4-D, aminopyralid + 2,4-D, or hexazinone. In forests, the best options are aminopyralid, triclopyr, and glyphosate.