Photo by V. Miller
Nov. 16, 2005
Eradicating the Giant Cane Plant
Nature vs. Nature: Eradicating Arundo donax with Allelopathic Leaf Extract Treatments
Susan Pasternak, 13, Santa Barbara, Calif.
Discovery Health Channel "Science Camp" Award, Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge, 2005
Project background: The invasive giant cane plant Arundo donax grows to over 30 feet tall, chokes out native species, and clogs culverts and channels. The herbicide most commonly used to kill the plant costs up to $15,000 an acre and fails to kill about 25 percent of the plants. Susan wanted to see if she could improve on this outcome.
Tactics and results: In her research for a natural method to eradicate Arundo donax, Susan discovered allelopathic plants, which can inhibit the growth of other plants. She made extracts of four different plants by boiling them in water and allowing them to steep to a 27-percent concentration.
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| Photo by V. Miller |
The extract of Nerium oleander proved most effective, eliminating 98.5 percent of giant cane plants in her test patch.
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