\m     7    2   94    2  1 'General Information About Aquatics Weeds'
\t'April 1987'                                                 'II-'
\a             Dr. Vernon Vandiver, Extension Aquatic Weed Specialist
\a
\a                    GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT AQUATIC WEEDS
\v             Dr. Vernon Vandiver, Extension Aquatic Weed Specialist
\h 1 'General Information About Aquatics Weeds'


                    GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT AQUATIC WEEDS


Aquatic weed growth of both native and exotic vegetation can severely decrease
the agricultural, commercial, recreational, and aesthetic value of Florida's
waters, one of our most valuable natural resources.  In most situations, some
degree of aquatic plant growth is desirable.  Control measures are needed only
when an overabundance of plant growth begins to limit the desired use of a
body of water.

Aquatic plants are generally grouped into one of the following habits:

(1) Submersed, with the vegetation growing below the surface of the water
(2) Floating, with the vegetation growing on the surface of the water and not
    rooted in the soil
(3) Emergent, with the vegetative growth rooted in the soil, with the plants
    extending above the surface of the water
(4) Shoreline, with the vegetative growth mainly on the shore, with some
    plants at times extending into the body of water

When control measures are required, aquatic weed infestations are usually
controlled by one or more of the following methods:

(1) chemical control programs using aquatic herbicides
(2) mechanical removal of the aquatic weeds
(3) biological control programs which utilize living organisms to reduce
    unwanted weed growth
(4) water level alteration which can aid in controlling aquatic weeds under
    certain conditions

The most widely used method of controlling aquatic weed growth in Florida at
present is through chemical control programs using herbicides.  The
information in this section is arranged to facilitate the proper use of
aquatic herbicides, as the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act,
as amended, states that "It shall be unlawful for any person . . . to use any
registered pesticide in a manner inconsistent with its labeling."

A number of factors may affect the results of an aquatic weed control program.
Some of these factors are: density of weed infestations, water quality, water
flow, water temperature, time of day treatment is made, growing condition of
target plant, time of year of treatment, method of herbicide application, weed
species being controlled, soil type, soil moisture conditions, weather
conditions before and after treatment, and the particular combination of
treatment methods used.