VietNamNet Bridge – The exotic plant that is invading the field of farmers in the Central Highlands appeared in many provinces and cities in the country a few years ago. There are many fields in the region are in danger of disappearance.

Fields disappear




About two years ago, farmers in Nam Yang commune, Dak Doa district, Gia Lai province saw strange bushes along a local stream. They thought that these were normal wild trees so they did not pay attention to them.

However, after a flood season, this alien plant "landed" on their fields in increasing numbers. Although farmers chopped, burned, cleaned their fields before planting crops, after a short time that this strange plant grew.

There were the fields being abandoned because they were thickly covered by the strange plants.

The invasive alien plant here is identified as mimosa, which appeared in many provinces and cities in the country a few years ago.

Going along the Ia Krom stream in Nam Yang commune, one can see bushes of mimosa along the banks. They grow thickly and yield golden flowers. Mimosa seeds were brought by winds to nearby fields and developed into “forests.”

Mr Le Xuan Tan, 80 who had settled in this commune for more than 50 years, said: "I've been farming here for almost half a century, but I have never seen this strange species. Two years ago, there were only several clusters of this tree at the edge of the stream. Yet after a flood season, it appeared on my fields and the fields of many other households. Now both sides of the stream, you can see it everywhere.”

Mr. Nguyen Giang Tuu, a local man, said: "I do not know where this tree is originated from, but it grows very fast. My field was just left fallow for only one crop but this tree has grown into the forest."

Exotic and toxic species




According to scientific documents, the mimosa trees growing on the fields here originate from Central America. This is an alien species, whose scientific name is Mimosa pigra.

This exotic species is regarded as one of the dangerous weeds for tropical wetlands, which ranks among the top 100 most dangerous invasive species. They grow very well in alluvial floodplain.

Each year mimosa trees produce a large amount of particles, which are surrounded by feathered shells. This character helps the seeds float on water surface and easily spread on sandy soil by wind. Mimosa seeds can survive in the wet soil for up to 7 years and up to 23 years in dry sandy soil. Chopped Mimosa trees can quickly have sprouts.

There are very few species of plants can grow in the areas where are invaded by mimosa trees. Most worryingly, the mimosa trees "consume" very quickly the nutrients in the soil, making the soil impoverished very quickly.

Mimosa trees cause great harm to the ecosystem, environment, and make vegetation change, making negative impacts on the aquatic fauna and flora systems. Especially, the trunk contains Mimosin, which is toxic to animals.

This exotic species has appeared in many parts of the country as some southwest provinces, Ho Chi Minh City, Quang Nam, Ninh Thuan, etc. In the Central Highlands, the mimosa tree has also appeared in Buon Me Thuot City,  Dak Lak Province. The local government launched campaigns to eliminate this harmful alien species.

In Gia Lai, this is the first time the mimosa tree being discovered. Although it has not penetrated much into the field, the authorities should soon take measures to eradicate them.

Tien Thanh