Plant Management in Florida Waters - An Integrated Approach

Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants - University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences & Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Invasive Plant Management Section

Impart color to water to reduce light penetration and suppress submersed plant growth

Not selective in that all submersed plant species may be affected
May select for invasive plants like hydrilla that needs less light than most native plants
May be cost prohibitive for large water bodies
Water body needs to be sufficiently deep for dyes to exclude light and be effective
Difficult to sustain appropriate concentration in flow through waters
Commercial blue dyes are available
Natural tannins can be concentrated but black or brown may be aesthetically unpleasing

Dyes are applied to small ponds to impart pleasing blue color and impede submersed plant and algae growth