Biology, Ecology, Impacts and Management of the Invasive Weed, Blue Heliotrope ( Heliotropium amplexicaule Vahl)—A Review

Jason Roberts, Arslan Masood Peerzada and Ali Ahsan Bajwa ()
Additional contact information
Jason Roberts: Future Regions Research Centre, Institute of Innovation, Science and Sustainability, Federation University Australia, Ballarat, VIC 3350, Australia
Arslan Masood Peerzada: Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Northam, WA 6401, Australia
Ali Ahsan Bajwa: La Trobe Institute of Sustainable Agriculture & Food (LISAF), Department of Animal, Plant and Soil Sciences, AgriBio, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 14, 1-15

Abstract: Blue heliotrope ( Heliotropium amplexicaule Vahl) is an extremely drought-hardy perennial weed that is often problematic within agricultural production systems and natural environments in some parts of the world. It has the capacity to outcompete and displace desirable plant species and it contains various biochemical compounds that are toxic to grazing livestock and humans. Heliotropium amplexicaule plants can grow within a range of climatic and environmental conditions and produce seeds that remain dormant for several years within the soil which exhibit staggered emergence long after the original parent plants have expired. While control options, including biological, chemical, cultural, and physical methods, are available, many are not suitable as a single-use approach for the long-term management of this species. Therefore, an integrated weed management (IWM) program is necessary for the confident and long-term management of H. amplexicaule , particularly within dryland ecosystems. This review explores the biology, ecology, distribution, and suitable management options currently available for H. amplexicaule , while identifying research gaps that can be addressed to assist in its future management. While particular emphasis is placed on the Australian experience, information from a global perspective is included, providing valuable insights for the long-term management of H. amplexicaule worldwide.

Keywords: agriculture; invasive species; weed biology; integrated weed management; weeds (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/14/5923/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/14/5923/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:14:p:5923-:d:1433251

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().