Transcript How to make spore water

How to make spore water
Introduction
Spore water is the solution made from bridal creeper rust spores and
rainwater. This method was developed by Bev and Dean Overton on
Kangaroo Island (South Australia) as a quick and efficient method of
redistributing rust to areas infested with bridal creeper. While the
method has not been scientifically tested, its use in the field under the
right conditions has been successful.
The method discussed here is for large scale spore water production
but can be modified for small scale production with a bucket and hand
spray bottles
Spore water does have some limitations. It must not be seen as a complete
answer to bridal creeper management. Consideration should also be given to
other control methods such as herbicides and other biocontrols.
Adapted from Kangaroo Island APC and Asparagus Weeds Committee's presentation
Bridal creeper biocontrol
Rust pustules on
bridal creeper
used to make
sporewater
Leaf
hopper
feeding
damage
Combined damage with yellow
“chlorosis “ from the rust and
silver/white leaf feeding damage
from the leaf hopper
Adapted from Kangaroo Island APC and Asparagus Weeds Working Group presentation
Step One – Collecting Spores
To collect spores do the following•Find the closest nursery site by contacting your local weed control officer.
•Cut foliage infected with rust and place into a plastic bag
•2 x 60 litre garbage bags full of foliage will be sufficient to make 200 litres
of spore water.
•Keep cut foliage moist.
•Can be stored in the plastic bags in a cool location for up to 48 hours.
•Remember not to remove ALL the infected foliage. Leave enough behind
to continue controlling the bridal creeper in that area.
•Best time of year to collect spores is usually August and September.
Safety tip – always use gloves and a face mask when working with rust infested bridal
creeper as breathing in spores may aggravate any pre-existing respiratory ailments.
Always get land holders permission to remove plant material
Adapted from Kangaroo Island APC and Asparagus Weeds Working Group presentation
Step Two – Making Spore Water
Spore water is simply the combination of the rust
spores and rainwater.
Submerge the cut foliage into
the rain water and agitate until
all spores are washed off the
leaves.
Or
Place leaves on a sieve and
wash spores off leaves as
shown here
Resulting slurry should look
something like this before
final seize to remove leaves
Adapted from Kangaroo Island APC and Asparagus Weeds Working Group presentation
Step 3 – Get ready to spray
•Sieve the slurry for the final time to get rid of any leaves or bits that could
clog the spray unit.
•Pour into a suitable spray unit. This could be any type ranging from hand
held spray bottles, backpack sprayers to misting sprays mounted on the
back of a ute. Make sure your equipment contains no chemical
residues as these can negatively impact on the spores or have
unintended effects on other plants sprayed. In is recommended that the
spray unit be dedicated to the spraying of biocontrol only.
Safety tip – remember your protective gear. Wear high visibility vests if
working on road sides. Always notify landowner before spraying.
Adapted from Kangaroo Island APC and Asparagus Weeds Working Group presentation
Step 4 – Spray Away
You have spore water, it’s in a spray unit, it’s time to get the bridal
creeper wet !
•The best conditions to spray in are –
In a light rain with light winds and high humidity.
Spray in late afternoon, rather than in the morning.
• The best spray method is –
Start at the top of the infestation and work downwards, spray until
run-off, paying particular attention to the underside of leaves and use
as fine a mist as possible.
Adapted from Kangaroo Island APC and Asparagus Weeds Working Group presentation
More of step 4 – Things to consider
Because there is no threat of off-target damage, spore water can be
liberally applied to bridal creeper in all areas where it occurs, including
native vegetation and near water courses.
•Spray the spore water solution as soon as possible after mixing, as the
spores will die the longer they are kept in solution.
•Try to keep the spore water solution agitated while in the spray tank to
minimise the spores sticking to the sides of the tank.
Spore water is recommended in regions where rainfall exceeds 400mm. In drier
areas consider using other biological controls, herbicide or physical removal if
practical.
Adapted from Kangaroo Island APC and Asparagus Weeds Working Group presentation
Step 5 – Monitor
• Monitoring of your spray site is important so that work is not
unnecessarily duplicated.
• Follow-up monitoring of the release sites should take place a
month after initial spraying. If no sign of the rust is seen within two
months then another dose of spore water is required. Remember
the spore water technique does not work in all areas. Repeated
failure to establish may indicate that a different application
technique is required or conditions are not right for establishment.
• Keeping records of success or failures and forwarding these to the
National Bridal creeper Coordinator. Please use the monitoring
protocol available from the www.weeds.org.au website.
Adapted from Kangaroo Island APC and Asparagus Weeds Working Group presentation
Step 6 – Take a bow
Sit back and watch as the rust knocks back the bridal creeper. Don’t
forget biocontrol is long term and will not lead to eradication. You
should expect smaller less dense plants with fewer flowers.
Good Luck
If you require any additional information contact
Shauna Potter
National Bridal Creeper Management Coordinator
Email [email protected]
Tel (08) 8303 9748
GPO Box 2834
Adelaide SA 5001
Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has confirmed that no
registration is required for the use and manufacture of spore water as long as it is not
packaged and sold.
Adapted from Kangaroo Island APC and Asparagus Weeds Working Group presentation