Introduction to Alligator Weed*

The alligator weed has long been recognized as a noxious growth in many agricultural lands in southeastern part of United States and since this terrestrial plant has adapted itself to an aquatic environment, it has been classified as an aquatic weed. There has been a tendency on part of a great many research workers to accept herbicides manufactured by some particular company and to adapt these as they are to a particular aquatic plant problem. These adaptations usually consist of altering the amount per acre or number of applications or some such empirical technique. Economic advantages of the control of aquatic vegetation are not always clearly evident. In most cases aquatic vegetation is not affecting the production of an economic crop. Usually the major effects are on inland fishing and, in particular, on sport fishing, recreation, and/or navigation. Because of this fact it is almost essential that federal and other governmental agencies take over the problem of aquatic weed control.