Abstract

Managing invasive alien species (IAS) is a major challenge for conserving ecosystems because of their deleterious impacts. This study evaluated the efficacy of five selective herbicides and wheat straw mulch against six invasive alien plant (IAP) species in Iran. Field observations from 2021 to 2025 showed that these species are concentrated in agricultural regions, particularly in summer crops in northern Iran. Five available herbicides (pendimethalin 3 lit h−1, imazethapyr 0.75 lit h−1, nicosulfuron 2 lit h−1, bentazone 2 lit h−1, and 2,4-D+MCPA 1.5 lit h−1) and wheat straw mulch (2 tons ha−1) were used to reduce the growth of six IAP species during summer 2025. Pendimethalin (as a pre-emergence herbicide) was effective (>90%) against all species apart from Ipomoea hederacea (≈60%). While 2,4-D+MCPA (as a post-emergence herbicide) effectively controlled five species, bentazone was effective only against Sida rhombifolia and I. hederacea. Nicosulfuron showed high efficacy (80%) only against I. hederacea. Straw mulch was more effective against Euphorbia nutans but was not effective properly against Ipomoea species. The efficacy of mulch and some herbicides depended on species identity, even within the same genera (Ipomoea and Euphorbia). Our results can help in the successful management of these invasive plants in northern Iran to minimize their impact on yield and quality of crops. As IAPs in environmental areas, this result will also be advantageous.

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