Control of Devil's Fig (Solanum torvum Sw.) in Tropical Pastures

Abstract

Devil's fig (Solanum torvum), a thorny perennial weed, is often a problem in tropical pastures. Investigations conducted in the Markham Valley of Papua New Guinea showed that mechanical methods of control (e.g. cutting or pulling the plants) are not as effective or practicable as chemical methods. Very young plants (main stem diameter at the base about 0.5-1.0 mm) were satisfactorily controlled by foliar sprays of 2,4-D ethyl ester 0.25-0.5% (a.i.) in water, while old plants (1-6 cm) and very old plants (greater than 6 cm) were completely controlled by 2,4,5-T butyl ester at 0.5 and 1.0% (a.i.) in dieseline applied to stumps cut at 10–15 cm height.