Investigations on the poisoning of tropical rain-forests for land-reclamation and wood-exploitation purposes.

Abstract

Reports selective tree-poisoning trials in Sumatra in 1955-57, using various concentrations of Na arsenite, trioxone, NH4 sulphamate, and 2, 4, 5-T, and various methods of application. Some 17 species were poisoned [but no distinction is made between species in the evaluation of the results]. It was found that NH4 sulphamate was virtually useless, and that trioxone and 2, 4, 5-T in water had only a slight effect, and were still unsatisfactory in diesel oil; they were more effective against smaller trees. Na arsenite was the best, especially at stronger concentrations. It is concluded that selective poisoning makes possible the easy exploitation of suitable timbers, and provides a quick and cheap method of clearance, in which less tractor time is needed and damage to the soil is slight. KEYWORDS: trees \ poisoning \ control \ trees \ poisoning \ control \ tropical rain forest \ Silviculture \ Tending \ stands and trees \ herbicides \ 2, 4-D \ and 2, 4, 5 T \ herbicides \ Ammate \ herbicides \ Na arsenite (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)