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25
Jun 2022
Fungus released in Ripon nature reserve to kill alien plant
A new rust fungus has been released at Hell Wath Local Nature Reserve in Ripon to help tackle Himalayan balsam.
Himalayan balsam was first introduced into the UK in 1839 as an ornamental plant but has since become a real problem. It colonises river banks, waste ground and damp woodlands, successfully competing with native plants and reducing biodiversity.
Harrogate Borough Council joined forces with the Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI), experts in biological control and fighting Himalayan balsam with fungal pathogens.
The council said that until recently, the main way to tackle it has been 'balsam bashing' which involved pulling it up by hand but this is only temporarily effective.
The fungus option followed years of research by CABI scientists and showed that it only infects Himalayan balsam and does not pose a risk to other species.
Read More:
- Alien plant puts Nidderdale beauty spots under threat
- Mites to be released to tackle invasive plant at Harrogate nature reserve
The rust fungus won't completely kill off the balsam but it makes the plant less competitive. It infects the stem and leaves throughout the growing season.
Councillor Sam Gibbs, HBC's cabinet member for environment, waste reduction and recycling, said:
Dr Sonal Varia, project scientist at CABI’s laboratories, said:
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