The use of arboricides in the management of tropical high forest

Abstract

Trials involving girdling and poisoning of trees with solutions of sodium arsenite dissolved in water and spraying the tree trunk with solutions of 2,4,5-1 and 2,4,-D in diesel have shown that sodium arsenite is a more effective arboricide than the butyl esters. It is assumed that although the effect of the esters was less conclusive, their slowness of action is disadvantageous in tropical forestry where the so-called "uniform" or "selective" systems are used. Trials in British Guiana showed that girdling with sodium arsenite is cheaper than the other contact arboricides if the butyl esters are applied with a sprayer, but more expensive if they are applied with a spreader. Girdling is very labor intensive. However, it seems that the experiences of balance of payments difficulties in most developing countries should be taken into account. when it comes to counterbalancing the economy of these attacks.