Theses and Dissertations

Advisor

Turnage, Jr., Lee Gray

Committee Member

Harkess, Richard L.

Committee Member

Dhillon, Jagmandeep

Committee Member

Byrd, John D.

Date of Degree

5-10-2024

Original embargo terms

Immediate Worldwide Access

Document Type

Graduate Thesis - Open Access

Major

Plant and Soil Sciences (Horticulture)

Degree Name

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Department

Department of Plant and Soil Sciences

Abstract

Aquatic nuisance plants (ANS), like watershield (Brasenia schreberi), negatively affect water chemistry, ecosystem ecology, and human uses of waterbodies if not properly managed. Understanding ecological predictors as well as efficient control strategies is needed for successful control of ANS. This research assessed 1) potential environmental and ecological predictors of watershield prevalence along with 2) submersed injections of flumioxazin herbicide for watershield control. Twenty-one lakes in the state of Mississippi were surveyed for watershield presence. Watershield prevalence was not correlated to water clarity or plant diversity suggesting these are not drivers of watershield prevalence. A series of mesocosm and field trials were conducted to assess flumioxazin rate reductions for watershield control. In the mesocosm study, 100 ppb flumioxazin injections reduced water shield biomass to >70% 8 weeks after treatment (WAT). This was validated on a field population (>88% reduction) and provides a new control measure for Mississippi resource managers and landowners.

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