Boiling water and steam have been effectively used as a non-chemical means to control weeds in croplands and urban areas. In Hawaii, it is a relatively new technology with limited trials done on local conditions and weeds. Guinea grass (Megathyrsus maximus) is a noxious weed that invades landscapes and agricultural fields in Hawaii and throughout the world. While it is typically controlled using herbicide sprays, this may be restricted if the guinea grass being controlled is located in riparian areas. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of saturated steam with boiling water in controlling mature clumps of guinea grass growing along a streambank. Guinea grass bunches were divided into small (less than 15.2 cm) and large clumps (15.2 to 30.5 cm) and then cut 5 to 15 cm from the ground. Cut clumps were either not treated (control) or treated with saturated steam and boiling water for 1 minute using a 15cm long spike injector inserted into different points of the crown. Percent green color and number of resprouts were collected 7, 14, and 21 days after application. Dry biomass was collected 22 days after application. Results indicate that saturated steam with boiling water was effective in controlling guinea grass clumps. Small clumps were completely controlled (no resprouts and new biomass) while large clumps had significantly reduced the number of resprouts and reduced production of new biomass. Saturated steam with boiling water offers a non-chemical means to control guinea grass in riparian areas in Hawaii.
