Management and control options for tutsan (<i>Hypericum androsaemum</i>) in hill country pastures a review

Abstract

Tutsan (Hypericum androsaemum) is a highly invasive semievergreen shrubby weed found throughout New Zealand Described as a serious pasture weed in 1937 it has been held in check for many years by tutsan rust Recently it has spread rapidly into pasture forestry and conservation areas Present methods available for managing tutsan are proving inadequate and unsustainable This review paper provides an overview of tutsans biology ecology habitat and its current distribution in New Zealand It details possible management strategies and control options with emphasis on control by herbicides The paper identifies a number of potential herbicides which although not currently registered for control of tutsan have shown good efficacy on this weed and could be developed for use on agricultural land through further research Herbicides currently registered for control of tutsan in Australia as well as the current recommendations in Victoria and Western Australia are also summarised