|
|
Reg.no L6342 Act 36 of 1947: Reg.nr L6342 Wet 36 van 1947.
|
SUMMARY OF AFRICA
A herbicide for the selected control of cut stumps of Eucalyptus species. ECOPLUG® challenges these being light, safe, ergonomic and cost effective
Ecoplug a small capsule like plug, the size of a paperclip. The ECOPLUG® contains the biodegradable granula Roundup® Dry. The ECOPLUG® reduces the amount of chemical used by 90-95% compared to the liquid chemical required for the same area when applied by spraying.
Plugs are insterted into the holes drilled in the base of the targeted tree and the chemical is released when the plug is struck with a hammer. The granula quickly dissolves in the sap which spreads it to the roots through the stump’s own capillary. The chemical is only applied exactly where it is needed. In one "blow" the surrounding environment has been protected against spillage of chemicals and against root- and stump sprouting. In addition to that the ECOPLUG® may also be used during winter.
|
 |
 |
 |
Standard ecoplug when placed in the newly drilled hole
|
Plug crack open once hammered |
After hammering the plug releases dry roundup into the tree
|
 |
 |
Standard depth of the ecoplug when placed in the new drilled hole
|
Hammering the plug into the hole releases the dry roundup into the tree
|
|
|
The Ecoplug concept was developed in Sweden by Hans Merving of CIS (Clean Injection System) in 1990 and is now used extensively worldwide by many operators in the field of alien vegetation control. In Sweden, the Ecoplug is now the ONLY system allowed in eco-sensitive areas such as roadsides and amenity areas.
The concept was brought to South Africa in 1995 and a great deal of development word was done in the Western Cape in order to obtain suitable registrations for the marketing of the product. These were obtained in 1998 and subsequent sales have been most encouraging. Much of the work was done by Terry Reddek of Reddchem, who spent many hours knocking holes into trees to convince people of the unique features of the Ecoplug.
The Ecoplug is now an all South African product with the plugs manufactured by Vukuhambe(" get up and go") an organization consisting solely of handicapped people, mostly in wheelchairs, working from their base in Guguletu on the Cape Flats. These people work on a small production line that fills plugs, inserts the cap and makes up packs of 100 plugs with labels for export around the world.
|
 |
 |
Typical alien vegetation intrusion in the river bed (viewed from a distance)
|
Typical alien vegetation intrusion in the river bed (close up)
|
|
|
|
Statistics show that alien plants have encroached more than 10 million hectares in South Africa. Invaders have a significant negative effect on water availability and, as such, it makes economic sense to control aliens so as to increase water availability.
|
 |
|
|
Typical rooikrans intrusion on the South African coast line
|
|
ECOPLUG FEATURE & BENEFITS
|
|
-No water needed
-Minimalfollow-up required.
-Can be used in all seasons.
-Can be applied in all south African weather conditions
-Light and easy to carry on difficult terrain
-Kills only treated trees
-No calibrations needed
-Can be applied close to water-no accidental pollution.
|
 |
|
Safe and easy to use
|
|
|
I All rights reserved I Ecoplug South Africa I
|
