UF/IFAS
Okeechobee County Extension Service
UF/IFAS
Okeechobee County Extension Service
458 Highway 98 North
Okeechobee, FL 34972-2578
Phone: (863) 763-6469
E- mail: okeechobee@ifas.ufl.edu
24 June 2003
Feature Article - for release the week of June 29, 2003
Brantley Ivey- Extension Intern
The
Plant from Hell
Agriculture producers should be concerned with the noxious weed Tropical Soda Apple (TSA), commonly known as the “plant from hell”. TSA is a serious management issue to local producers and has the attention of ranchers throughout the South.
I’m a student at the University of Florida, interning here at the Okeechobee County Extension Service, and I’d like to discuss the problems associated with this weed. Let’s look at its origins, how big a problem it is, and what steps are being taken to deal with TSA.
This South American weed was first found in Glades County in 1988, and jumped to ranch in Hendry County in 1990. Florida and the USDA listed it as a noxious weed within five years. This makes it unlawful to knowingly introduce, possess, or move TSA. TSA absorbs 450 acres a day of perennial grass pastures and natural areas in Florida. With over one million of Florida acres now affected by TSA, and the spread of this weed to almost all southeastern states in 15 years, control of this plant is of the utmost importance.
The “plant from hell” is the perfect weed because it is difficult to control. It is a leafy plant covered with thorns, except for the small green-yellow fruit it bares. Livestock and wildlife find the fruit very desirable and this increases this spreading problem. Here’s the numbers:
A TSA task force has been in place for nearly ten years in Florida. Its goal is preventing the spread of TSA. A great deal of information has been discovered through research. It has led to the development of best management practices to prevent a problem from hell.
Okeechobee’s own livestock agent, Pat Hogue, has been very influential in writing best management practices (BMP’s) for producers to stop the spread of this noxious weed. However, despite all efforts the problem is still a real issue. There are several control suggestions that have moderate success. Mowing, chopping, herbicide application, or combinations of these practices seem to be the most effective. Along with these there will soon be biological controls that may be of great use to our local agriculture industries.
In April of this year, the Southeastern Tropical Soda
Apple Task Force was formed. This group is a combination of producers and state
agencies from most of the Southern states. All are attempting to form an
alliance against the spread of TSA. There
are several ideas being floated around that may affect local cattle, seed, sod
and hay producers in Florida. For example, in the proposed memorandum there is a provision
that will require cattle to be held in a certified TSA free environment for no
less than six days before interstate transfer.
The regulatory specifics have not been defined yet, so now is the
time when producers need to take a proactive approach.
TSA is a problem that is growing by leaps and bounds every day. The prevention and control of this problem should be of interest to all Florida residents and should be addressed. The TSA problem already costs the cattle industry in Florida an estimated $11,000,000 annually. With numbers like that we cannot allow this problem to grow. IFAS and the University of Florida are working hard to discover new ways to help, but it will take everyone using common sense methods to contain and control the “plant from hell”.
There is also a more detailed account of the TSA on the EDIS website, http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu. If you need additional information on TSA, call or stop by our office at 458 Hwy 98 North. Our phone number is 763-6469, and you can email us at okeechobee@ifas.ufl.edu
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Trade
names, where used, are given for the purpose of providing specific information.
They do not constitute an endorsement or guarantee of products named, nor does
it imply criticism of products not named. The Florida Cooperative Extension
Service - Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is an equal
opportunity/affirmative action employer authorized to provide research,
educational information, and other services to individuals and institutions that
function without regard to race, color, sex, age, handicap, or national origin.
References
Markle, L. T., Overholt W. A. and Langeland, K. A.. Natural Area Weeds: Invasive Solanum spp. in Florida [SS AGR 312]. Gainesville: UF/IFAS Florida Cooperative Extension Service, 12/2008.
