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Testimonials

TCM have carried out Japanese knotweed eradication on various sites for Hyndburn Borough Council over the last twelve months.

I have always found TCM to be helpful and efficient in all areas, from the tendering procedure to the completion of the works. All sites have been left tidy and clear of arisings and [more]

TCM have carried out Japanese knotweed eradication on various sites for Hyndburn Borough Council over the last twelve months.

I have always found TCM to be helpful and efficient in all areas, from the tendering procedure to the completion of the works. All sites have been left tidy and clear of arisings and to date there are no signs of re infestation.

TCM provided comprehensive risk assessments, method statements and product data sheets prior to the start of work and I could not fault any of their billing or administrative procedures.

I would have no reservations in recommending TCM for the eradication of noxious weeds.

Andrew J Hayhurst
 Senior Parks Development Officer
For Director of Community Services
 

Rhizome Viability Testing

Rhizome Viability Testing

One of the difficulties with clearing a site of Japanese knotweed is verifying that a herbicidal programme has worked. In many instances, the plant appears to be dead with leaves, stems and crowns clearly dying. To even the expert eye, the rhizome may look dead as well, but in fact if the herbicide hasn’t translocated through its entirety, new plants will emerge within a year or two from either dormant or partially alive fragments.

Whilst the Welsh Development Agency viability assessment method could give a crude assessment about viability, at TCM, we wanted to be able to give our customers definitive answers about the effectiveness of any herbicide programme that had been undertaken. To that end we obtained government funding via a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with Writtle College and along with our visiting researcher based at University of Bath, three types of viability tests have been developed, are patent pending and available commercially.

Whilst 75% or rhizomes can be assessed using the On-Site RV20 test, some need to be referred for further testing with our RV24 tests. These will give a 99.9% positive or negative answer about rhizome viability.

Contact us for more information about how to use these innovative services to confirm that your site is clear of Japanese knotweed.
 



The RV20 on site test relies on the identification of a specific enzyme which is present in living rhizome material. Slices of rhizome are set inside the kit and left for a minimum of 20 minutes and removed. The kit can then be examined visually to determine results. If alive, the enzymes in the rhizome will digest the starch in the medium, including the colour, leaving patches of clear or partially coloured medium remaining in the kit. 

The RV20 Microscopy Test relies on a hydrolysis reaction which generates fluorescence in only living cells. Slices of rhizome are inserted in solution for 20 minutes and then examined using microscopy.

The RV 24 Spectrometer Test assesses the rate of aerobic respiration in cells. Slices of rhizome are inserted in solution for 24 hours. A reaction between aerobic respiration and enzymes causes staining. Intensity of colour is measured using a spectrophotometer and accurately determines whether the rhizome is dead or alive.