Controlling Apple of Sodom(Solanum linnaeanum)- A declared pest weed in Western Australia:
Apple of Sodom (Solanum linnaeanum) has been raised as a declared species under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007. It is spreading throughout the Ravensthorpe-Hopetoun region and needs to be controlled.
Belonging to the nightshades, this weed is a woody, perennial shrub that grows 1-3 metres tall. Apple of Sodom can be found in overgrazed pastures, roadsides or disturbed soils. Its fruit contains glycoalkaloids that are poisonous to humans and livestock if ingested.
More information on the identification of this species can be found at: https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/n/676
PLEASE NOTE: Reporting the weed does not remove the need for landholders to control it.
Requirements for land owners finding this weed can be accessed through: https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/declared-plants/declared-plant-requirements
Effective control strategies:- Manual eradication: Hand pull seedlings and young plants with gloves, remove roots also. Collect all fruit from the infested area.Burn isolated plants and all pulled plant material, including seedlings, fruit etc., to reduce the spread of seed by birds. To reduce Apple of Sodom seedling germination, plant perennial species (such as Eucalypts) that provide good surface mulch in the area.
Chemical eradication: When using any agricultural chemicals please ensure that you always follow instructions on the label and any permit. Users of agricultural chemical products must always strictly comply with the directions on the label and the conditions of any permit.Recommended herbicides:
- Amitrole T®
- Triclopyr
- Glyphosate
- Picloram + 2,4-D amine
Chemical control options can be found through at: https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/herbicides/apple-sodom-control
**Management calendar: **
Source: the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development website.
