Management of weeds in New Zealand's commercial forests is achieved using herbicides. Environmental concerns around the detrimental effects of herbicides on soil and water quality require a reduction in herbicide use. Information from a survey of New Zealand forest companies was used to quantify herbicide use in forests. A field study was carried out to evaluate the fate of key herbicides identified in the survey. Glyphosate, terbuthylazine and hexazinone were the most widely used herbicides, comprising 90% of the estimated 447 tonnes annually used. Herbicide use is restricted in certified forests and has resulted in greater use of spot-control, reducing the amount of herbicide applied by up to 89%. The field study showed that, following operational application of herbicides, concentrations thereof in the following year were low in stream water, sediment, algae, litter and soil. A decision support system could facilitate further reductions in herbicide use in commercial forests.

Survey of herbicide use and fate of herbicides used in New Zealand planted forests

248th National Meeting (2014)

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