AQUATIC AND WETLAND PLANT IDENTIFICATION, BIOLOGY AND CONTROL

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: COMPLETE
• Funding Source: HATCH
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 1014911
• Project Start Date: Dec 18, 2017
• Project End Date: Sep 30, 2022
• Program Code: [(N/A)]- (N/A)

Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
G022 MCCARTY HALL
GAINESVILLE,FL 32611

Performing Department
Ft. Lauderdale Research and Education Center

Non Technical Summary
Water plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of Florida's ecosystem. We rely on this valuable resource to provide drinking water, irrigation and recreation; in addition, appropriate management of our waters is critical for flood control efforts. A diversity of native aquatic plants constitutes an integral part of the aquatic environment. These mixed populations of hydrophytes provide structure, habitat and food for fish, waterfowl and other wildlife and act as nutrient sinks by removing phosphate, nitrogen and other elements from the water column. The mild climate of Florida makes the region an ideal habitat for many organisms, including aquatic plants. This fact, coupled with the popularity of water gardens and ornamental ponds, makes the region ideally suited for invasion by non-native aquatic plants. Non-native plants are often invasive and outcompete native aquatic species, resulting in monocultures that fail to provide the services afforded by a diverse aquatic ecosystem. Newly introduced aquatic species are often poorly understood; little is known about their biology, means of reproduction, cultural requirements and habitat preferences. In addition, methods to control these invasive species are often unknown. Therefore, a primary goal of this project is to describe newly introduced aquatic and wetland plants, elucidate the processes that influence invasion and identify methods to provide adequate control of these species without causing undue harm to native plants, other aquatic organisms and the aquatic environment.

Animal Health Component

70%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

10%

Applied

70%

Developmental

20%

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
213	2150	1140	100%

Knowledge Area
213 - Weeds Affecting Plants;

Subject Of Investigation
2150 - Aquatic plants;

Field Of Science
1140 - Weed science;

Keywords

aquatic plants

wetland plants

invasive species

weed management

herbicides

Goals / Objectives
1. Identify and study the biology of newly introduced species of aquatic and wetland plants in Florida's waterways and natural areas2. Investigate the effects of management techniques on aquatic and wetland weeds, desirable non-target native and ornamental plants

Project Methods
Research will be conducted using greenhouse and field trials as appropriateTraining for pesticide applicators will be provided via targeted extension programmingMentoring of students will be integrated into research and extension programsOutreach to other clientele will occur through lectures, presentations, workshops and appropriate publications

Progress 10/01/20 to 09/30/21

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audiences for this research are herbicide applicators, aquatic and wetland resource managers, researcher at federal agencies and water control districts that are charged with maintaining canals and waterways, homeowners along bodies of water and other interested stakeholders. Efforts from this project include the delivery of science-based information to the scientific community through formal presentations and as extension and outreach presentations to local, state and national stakeholders at a number of venues. Attendees of many of these presentations are awarded Continuing Education Units for their participation. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Eight individuals have received training and professional development while working on this project. Mohsen Tootoonchi (former doctor of philosophy graduate student), Samantha Sardes (former master of science graduate student), Kyle Thayer (agricultural assistant), Ian Markovich (former OPS biologist, current master of science student), Joseph Sigmon (former undergraduate research intern, current master of science student), Richard Johnson (former OPS biologist), Angie Diez (OPS biologist), and Carrie Thor (research intern) have participated in the design, setup and execution of this research. Mohsen Tootoonchi, Kyle Thayer, Ian Markovich and Joseph Sigmon also gained additional experience in supervising and training diverse workers in addition to conducting research. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Efforts from this project include the delivery of science-based knowledge to the scientific community through formal presentations and publications and as extension and outreach presentations to national, state and local stakeholders at a number of venues. Attendees of many of these presentations are awarded Continuing Education Units for their participation. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Continue to conduct research and transfer research-based knowledge to resource managers, stakeholders and other interested individuals.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? I continued to evaluate the efficacy and selectivity of "natural" products (acetic acid and d-limonene) on floating invasive and emergent native aquatic plants. I continued to study the biology, ecology and management of crested floatingheart (Nymphoides cristata), yellow floatingheart (Nymphoides peltata), feathered mosquitofern (Azolla pinnata), common salvinia (Salvinia minima), and other invasive species. I continued to collaborate with other agencies to evaluate the effects of using integrated pest management (IPM) for control of waterhyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) and other species and I am studying the effects of maintenance control of waterhyacinth and waterlettuce (Pistia stratiotes) on detrital accumulation and water quality. The findings from this research add to the body of knowledge regarding the biology and control of invasive plants in southern Florida's aquatic systems. This research provides aquatic resource managers with additional information that can be used in aquatic weed management programs.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Gettys LA, KL Thayer and JW Sigmon. 2021. Evaluating the effects of acetic acid and d-limonene on four aquatic plants. HortTechnology 31(2):225-233. doi:10.21273/HORTTECH04769-20.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Harms NE, RA Thum, LA Gettys, IJ Markovich, A French, L Simantel and R Richardson. 2021. Hybridization between native and invasive Nymphoides species in the United States. Biological Invasions 23:3003-3011. doi.org/10.1007/s10530-021-02558-9.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Schnelle MA and LA Gettys. 2021. Nuisance to invasive ornamentals: Proceedings from the ASHS invasive plants research group 2020 workshop. HortTechnology 31(4):339-342. doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH04787-20.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Tipping PW, MR Martin, JR Foley, RM Pierce and LA Gettys. 2021. The influence of two wildfires and biological control agents on the population dynamics of Melaleuca quinquenervia in a seasonally inundated wetland. Invasive Plant Science and Management 14(1):3-8. doi:10.1017/inp.2021.4.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Tipping PW, MR Martin, M Rayamajhi, P Pratt and LA Gettys. 2021. Comparing the invertebrate communities and the decomposition dynamics between dead native and non-native trees in a seasonal Everglades wetland. Environmental Entomology 50(5):1056-1062. doi:10.1093/ee/nvab057
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2021 Citation: Gettys LA and WT Haller. Evaluation of two ALS inhibiting herbicides on non-target native aquatic and wetland plants. Journal of Aquatic Plant Management
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2021 Citation: Gettys LA, KL Thayer, MA Heilman and EM Van Goethem. Effect of florpyrauxifen-benzyl concentration:exposure time on hygrophila and rotala. Journal of Aquatic Plant Management
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Submitted Year Published: 2022 Citation: Kendig AE, S Canavan, P Anderson, SL Flory, LA Gettys, D Gordon, B Iannone, J Kunzer, T Petri, IA Pfingsten and D Lieurance. Scanning the horizon for invasive plant threats to Florida, USA. (NeoBiota)
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Submitted Year Published: 2022 Citation: Gettys LA, KL Thayer and JW Sigmon. Phytotoxic effects of acetic acid and d-limonene on four aquatic plants. (HortTechnology)
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Benjamin AR, A Abd-Elrahman, LA Gettys, HH Hochmair and K Thayer. 2021. Monitoring the efficacy of crested floatingheart (Nymphoides cristata) management with object-based image analysis of UAS imagery. Remote Sensing 13(4):830. doi:10.3390/rs13040830.

Progress 10/01/19 to 09/30/20

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audiences for this research are herbicide applicators, aquatic and wetland resource managers, researchers at federal agencies and water control districts that are charged with maintainng canals and waterways, homeowners along bodies of water and other interested stakeholders. Efforts from this project include the delivery of science-based information to the scientific community through formal presentations and as extension and outreach presentations to local, state and national stakeholders at a number of venues. Attendees of many of these programs are awarded Continuing Education Units for their participation. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Six individuals have received training and professional development while working on this project. Mohsen Tootoonchi (former doctor of philosophy graduate student), Samantha Sardes (former master of science graduate student), Kyle Thayer (agricultural assistant and undergraduate student), Ian Markovich (former OPS biologist, current master of science student), Joseph Sigmon (former undergraduate research intern, current master of science student), Richard Johnson (former OPS biologist), Angie Diez (OPS biologist) and Carrie Thor (research intern) have participated in the design, setup and execution of this research. Mohsen Tootoonchi, Kyle Thayer, Ian Markovich and Joseph Sigmon gained additional experience in supervising and training diverse workers in addition to conducting research. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Efforts from this project include the delivery of science-based knowledge to the scientific community through formal presentation and as extension and outreach presentations to national, state and local stakeholders at a number of venues. Attendees of many of these presentations are awarded Continuing Education Units for their participation. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Continue to conduct research and transfer research-based knowledge to resource managers, stakeholders, and other interested individuals.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? I evaluated the efficacy and selectivity of "natural" products (acetic acid and d-limonene) on floating invasive and emergent native aquatic plants. I continued to study the biology, ecology and management of crested floatingheart (Nymphoides cristata), yellow floatingheart (Nymphoides peltata), feathered mosquitofern (Azolla pinnata), and other invasive species. I continued to collaborate with other agencies to evaluate the effects of using integrated pest management (IPM) for control of waterhyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) and other species and I am studying the effects of maintenance control of waterhyacinth on detrial accumulation and water quality. The findings from this research add to the body of knowledge regarding the biology and control of invasive plants in southern Florida's aquatic systems. This research provides aquatic resource managers with additional information that can be used in aquatic weed management programs.

Publications

• Type: Books Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Gettys LA, WT Haller and DG Petty (eds). 2020. Biology and control of aquatic plants: a best management practices handbook, 4th edition. 234 pages. Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Foundation. Marietta, GA.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Goode ABC, BK Knowles, PW Tipping, JR Foley and LA Gettys. 2020. Interactions among biological control agents on waterhyacinth: impacts of herbivory on the oviposition and development of Megamelus scutellaris. Biocontrol Science and Technology 30(11):1244-1249
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Goode ABC, PW Tipping, LA Gettys, BK Knowles, RJ Valmonte and E Pokorny. 2020. Persistence of biological control agents in waterhyacinth following herbicide application. Florida Entomologist 103(1):132-135
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Reid MK, JA Coetzee, MP Hill, R Diaz, LA Gettys, JP Cuda and CS Reid. 2020. Insect herbivores associated with Nymphaea mexicana in southern United States. Florida Entomologist 103(1):54-63
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Tipping PW, MC Smith, EC Lake, CR Minteer, ABC Goode, JR Foley and LA Gettys. 2020. Classical biological control and apparent competition: evaluating a waterhyacinth invaded community module. Journal of Applied Ecology 57(5):926-935
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Tootoonchi M, LA Gettys, KL Thayer, IJ Markovich, JW Sigmon and S Sadeghibaniani. 2020. Ecotypes of aquatic plant Vallisneria americana tolerate different salinity concentrations. Diversity 12, 65; 16 pp; doi:10.3390/d12020065
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2021 Citation: Gettys LA and RG Leon. 2021 (in press). A population genetics approach for the study of fluridone resistance in hydrilla. Aquatic Invasions
• Type: Book Chapters Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Gettys LA. 2020. 2.11: waterhyacinth, pp. 71-74. In: Biology and control of aquatic plants: a best management practices handbook (Gettys LA, WT Haller and DG Petty, eds.), 4th edition. Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Foundation. Marietta, GA.
• Type: Book Chapters Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Gettys LA. 2020. 2.12: waterlettuce, pp. 75-78. In: Biology and control of aquatic plants: a best management practices handbook (Gettys LA, WT Haller and DG Petty, eds.), 4th edition. Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Foundation. Marietta, GA.
• Type: Book Chapters Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Markovich IJ, JW Sigmon and LA Gettys. 2020. 2.9: Floatinghearts, pp. 59-64. In: Biology and control of aquatic plants: a best management practices handbook (Gettys LA, WT Haller and DG Petty, eds.), 4th edition. Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Foundation. Marietta, GA.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2021 Citation: Gettys LA, KL Thayer and JW Sigmon. 2021. Evaluating natural products for aquatic weed management. HortTechnology
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2021 Citation: Harms NE, RA Thum, LA Gettys, IJ Markovich, A French, L Simantel and R Richardson. 2021. Hybridization between native and invasive Nymphoides species in the United States. Biological Invasions
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2021 Citation: Goode ABC, PW Tipping, EN Pokorny, BK Knowles, LS Salinas and LA Gettys. 2021. Proximity to host plant of a congener determines parasitism of a waterhyacinth biological control agent by a native parasitoid. Biological Control
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2021 Citation: Verbrugge LNH, M Dawson, LA Gettys, RSEW Leuven, H Marchante, E Marchante, P Nummi, AHM Rutenfrans, K Schneider and S Vanderhoeven. 2021. Novel tools and best practices for education about invasive alien species. Management of Biological Invasions
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Submitted Year Published: 2021 Citation: Benjamin AR, A Abd-Elrahman, LA Gettys, HH Hochmair and K Thayer. Monitoring the efficacy of crested floatingheart (Nymphoides cristata) management with object-based image analysis of UAS imagery. Remote Sensing
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2021 Citation: Schnelle MA and LA Gettys. Nuisance to invasive ornamentals: Proceedings from the ASHS invasive plants research group 2020 workshop. HortTechnology
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Submitted Year Published: 2021 Citation: Tipping P, M Martin, M Rayamajhi, P Pratt and L Gettys. Postmortem impacts of Melaleuca quinquenervia on the Everglades landscape. Ecology and Evolution
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Submitted Year Published: 2021 Citation: Tootoonchi M and LA Gettys. Salt tolerance assessment of aquatic and wetland plants: Increased salinity can reshape aquatic vegetation communities. Estuaries and Coasts

Progress 10/01/18 to 09/30/19

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audiences for this research are herbicide applicators, aquatic and wetland resource managers, researchers at federal agencies and water control districts that are charged with maintaining canals and waterways, homeowners along bodies of water and other interested stakeholders. Efforts from this project include the delivery of science-based knowledge to the scientific community through formal presentation and as extension and outreach presentations to local stakeholders at a number of venues. Attendees of these presentations are awarded Continuing Education Units for their participation. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Six individuals have received training and professional development while working on this project. Mohsen Tootoonchi (doctor of philosophy graduate student), Samantha Sardes (former master of science graduate student), Kyle Thayer (agricultural assistant), Ian Markovich (former OPS biologist, current master of science student), Joey Sigmon (former undergraduate research intern, current master of science student) and Richard Johnson (OPS biologist) have participated in the design, set up and execution of this research. Mohsen Tootoonchi, Kyle Thayer, and Ian Markovich gained additional experience in supervising and training diverse workers in addition to conducting research. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Efforts from this project include the delivery of science-based knowledge to the scientific community through formal presentation and as extension and outreach presentations to local stakeholders at a number of venues. Attendees of these presentations are awarded Continuing Education Units for their participation. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Continue to conduct research and transfer research-based knowledge to resource managers, stakeholders, and other interested individuals.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? I evaluated the efficacy of herbicides labeled for use in aquatic systems in Florida on submersed and emergent invasive aquatic plants. I continued to study the biology, ecology and management of crested floatingheart (Nymphoides cristata), redroot floater (Phyllanthus fluitans), feathered mosquitofern (Azolla pinnata), rotala (Rotala rotundifolia) and other invasive species. I continued to collaborate with other agencies to evaluate the effects of using integrated pest management (IPM) for control of waterhyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) and other aquatic weeds. I am also evaluating "natual" herbicides to determine whether they have utility in aquatic weed control. The findings from this research add to the body of knowledge regarding the biology and control of invasive plants in southern Florida's aquatic systems. This research provides aquatic resource managers with additional information that can be used in aquatic weed management programs.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Gettys LA. 2019. Breaking bad: Native aquatic plants gone rogue and the invasive species that inspire them. HortTechnology 29(5):559-566
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Gettys LA and KA Moore. 2019. Greenhouse production of native aquatic plants. HortTechnology 29(1):41-45
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Gettys LA and M Schnelle. 2019. The natives are restless: Proceedings from the ASHS Invasive Plants Research Interest Group 2017 and 2018 workshops. HortTechnology 29(5):534
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Goode ABC, CR Minteer, JR Foley, PW Tipping, RJ Valmonte, BK Knowles and LA Gettys. 2019. Host range of Lepidelphax pistiae (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) and its potential impact on Pistia stratiotes L. (Araceae). Biocontrol Science & Technology (29(7):706-714
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Goode ABC, CR Minteer, PW Tipping, BK Knowles, RJ Valmonte, JR Foley and LA Gettys. 2019. Small-scale dispersal of a biological control agent  Implications for more effective releases. Biological Control 132:89-94
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Kariuki EM, JP Cuda, SD Hight, RL Hix, LA Gettys and JL Gillett-Kaufman. 2019. Foraging depth of Cricotopus lebetis Sublette larvae. Journal of Aquatic Plant Management 57:69-78
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Tootoonchi, M and LA Gettys. 2019. Testing salt stress on aquatic plants: Effect of salt source and substrate. Aquatic Ecology 53(3):325-334

Progress 12/18/17 to 09/30/18

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audiences for this research are herbicide applicators, aquatic and wetland resource managers, researchers at federal agencies and water control districts that are charged with maintaining canals and waterways, homeowners along bodies of water and other interested stakeholders. Efforts from this project include the delivery of science-based knowledge to the scientific community through formal presentation and as extension and outreach presentations to local stakeholders at a number of venues. Attendees of these presentations are awarded Continuing Education Units for their participation. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Five individuals have received training and professional development while working on this project. Mohsen Tootoonchi (doctor of philosophy graduate student), Samantha Sardes (former master of science graduate student), Kyle Thayer (agricultural assistant), Ian Markovich (OPS biologist), and Joey Sigmon (undergraduate research intern) have participated in the design, set up and execution of this research. Mohsen Tootoonchi, Kyle Thayer, and Ian Markovich gained additional experience in supervising and training diverse workers in addition to conducting research. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Efforts from this project include the delivery of science-based knowledge to the scientific community through formal presentation and as extension and outreach presentations to local stakeholders at a number of venues. Attendees of these presentations are awarded Continuing Education Units for their participation. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Continue to conduct research and transfer research-based knowledge to resource managers, stakeholders, and other interested individuals.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? I have evaluated the efficacy of herbicides labeled for use in aquatic systems in Florida on submersed and emergent invasive aquatic plants. I am studying the biology of crested floatingheart (Nymphoides cristata) and I am working with collaborators at other agencies to evaluate the effects of using integrated pest management (IPM) - in this case, biocontrol insects and herbicides - for control of waterhyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) and other aquatic weeds. The findings from this research add to the body of knowledge regarding the biology and control of invasive plants in southern Florida's aquatic systems. This research provides aquatic resource managers with additional information that can be used in aquatic weed management programs.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Della Torre CJ III, WT Haller and LA Gettys. 2018. Effect of soil carbon on phytotoxicity of topramezone-treated irrigation water to St. Augustinegrass. HortTechnology 28(1):22-27.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Gettys LA and KA Moore. 2018. Greenhouse culture and production of four ornamental native wetland plants. HortTechnology 28(3):332-336.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Gosselin JR, WT Haller, LA Gettys, T Griffin and ES Crawford. 2018. Effects of substrate nutrients on growth of three submersed aquatic plants. Journal of Aquatic Plant Management 56:39-46.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Gosselin JR, WT Haller and LA Gettys. 2018. Seasonal and environmental factors affecting growth of Illinois pondweed. Journal of Aquatic Plant Management 56:101-106.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Hasandras H, KA Moore and LA Gettys. 2018. Growth of southern naiad with varying percentages of sand and controlled release fertilizer. HortTechnology 28(3):252-256.