Occurrence Characteristics and Management Plans for Ecosystem Disturbance Plant, Sicyos angulatus

In-Yong Lee1   Seung-Hwan  Kim1   Yong-Ho  Lee1   Sun-Hee Hong1   Kee Woong  Park2,*   

1Institute of Ecological Phytochemistry, School of Applied Science in Natural Resources & Environment, Hankyong National University, Anseong 17579, Korea
2Department of Crop Science, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea

Abstract

It is estimated that Sicyos angulatus, an ecosystem-disturbing plant specified by the Ministry of Environment, was introduced to Korea in the 1960s along with US military supplies. S. angulatus propagates around rivers and waterways hence, having low human accessibility. This causes limitations for efficient management methods. It is an annual weed that propagates by seeds, but it is also a creeper that grows up to 8 m a year. This reduces species diversity as it gradually kills its surrounding vegetation by covering it with vines. As S. angulatus mainly grows along rivers, it is difficult to use herbicides. Therefore, to suppress the occurrence and spread of S. angulatus, methods that involve uprooting the roots, cutting the stems at a young age, or removing the vines before the seeds are formed need to be applied. However, the effect of these methods is low. In some cases, for S. angulatus on non-agricultural land, selective herbicide application should be considered.

Figures & Tables

Fig. 1. Distribution status of Sicyos angulatus in the world (red colour). Sources: Cabi, 2021.