Site-specific management is crucial to managing Mikania micrantha

Mike Day and colleagues have recently published “Site-specific management is crucial to managing Mikania micrantha” in Weed Research. Mikania, or mile-a-minute, is a fast growing vine from tropical America that is now invasive in South-East Asia and the Pacific.  They reviewed the management of mikania throughout its invaded range. In Queensland and Florida, mikania has been targeted in relatively successful eradication campaigns, highlighting the importance of early detection and rapid response methods, while elsewhere populations are either still increasing or showing limited signs of decline. An inter-regional approach to research and management should incorporate successful management strategies employed throughout the invaded range including chemical and cultural control practices, manual and mechanical control, classical biological control using the rust fungus, plant–plant competition and integrated approaches utilising control methods concurrently. Genetic studies would determine if management approaches could be fine-tuned for particular populations. Countries bordering the Mekong River formed a network in 2011 to co-ordinate the management of invasive species such as mikania and this collaborative approach could be expanded.

Clements, D.R., Day, M.D., Oeggerli, V., Shen, S.C., Weston, L.A., Xu, G.F., Zhang, F.D. and Zhu, X. 2019. Site-specific management is crucial to managing Mikania micrantha. Weed Research 59(3): 155-169.