Introduction

Bracken is invading areas of grassland, heathland and moorland within the UK to such an extent that in some areas it is described as being out of control.

When dinosaurs roamed the earth, ferns were one of the most prevalent types of vegetation. Bracken or Pteridium aquilinum is one type of fern that has survived virtually unchanged.

Bracken is a deceptive plant; like an iceberg most of it is out of sight. 90% of the bracken plant is underground in the form of rhizomes, which can be highly invasive. Bracken can produce 50T of Rhizomes per hectare.

Bracken Control

There are many different techniques to control bracken but to be effective these techniques must be applied properly and coordinated with a prepared plan.  Killing the plant is not the answer as the rhizomes will produce new shoots the following year.  To be effective, control techniques must achieve an impact on the rhizomes.

Bracken control is essential in areas of high bracken concentrations to avoid it becoming dominant, reducing biodiversity and the productive capacity of the land for wildlife and domestic livestock, and restricting access. Asulox is the number one treatment option.

Asulox is a herbicide for the control of bracken in upland areas, in agricultural grassland, amenity vegetation and forestry. It is the only herbicide that is licensed for aerial application.

United Phosphorus Ltd. (UPL) are a leading producer of crop protection products and Asulox is one of their many products. For more information visit the website: www.upleurope.com

Statement:  03/04/2009