Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 June 2017
We applied propylene glycol butyl ether esters of 2-(2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy)propionic acid (silvex) and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) to floating alligatorweed (Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb.) and determined the level of carbohydrates in the underwater stems. The chemicals were applied at 4 and 8 lb/A on five application dates during a growing season at two sites. One month after initial application, the readily acid-hydrolyzable carbohydrates had been depleted by an average of 23.8% in a tidal area and 14.5% in a non-flowering area. Throughout the growing season, levels of carbohydrates were higher in a non-flowing area. The alligatorweed in the tidal area was more susceptible to herbicides. Regrowth from underwater nodes resulted in replenishment of the carbohydrates during the second month following treatment with 2,4-D. Carbohydrate levels remained low for 2 months following treatment with silvex, which resulted in more effective control of alligatorweed. Silvex at 8 lb/A, with retreatment after 2 months, provided the most effective control of floating alligatorweed.