Australia
July 13, 2016

The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) has recently funded a series of herbicide resistance surveys to be conducted in Queensland by the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) and in New South Wales by Charles Sturt University (CSU). 

The survey aims to identify and map the herbicide resistance status of key weed species in the northern agriculture region.

DAF is seeking permission from growers and land managers to enter properties to collect weed seeds, and will conduct two surveys in Queensland coinciding with winter and summer grain and legume harvests.

In NSW, CSU will be sampling at 20 kilometre intervals around the state, and growers can expect to see CSU vehicles and researchers pre harvest for the collection of weed samples.

Weeds targeted in the survey include feathertop Rhodes grass, fleabane, sowthistle, barnyard grass, windmill grass, liverseed grass, annual ryegrass wild oat and Brassica species if present.

In Queensland, growers will be contacted prior to paddock visits with a date and an estimated time of visit, and both QDAF and CSU personnel will ensure extra care is taken to make sure boots and clothing are free from weed seeds before entering property.

All information collected during the survey will remain confidential and results will be available to growers when finalised.

Herbicide resistant weed populations are now found throughout all cropping areas of Australia, with at least 40 weed species in Australia with resistance to one or more herbicide modes-of-action (MOA). 

The GRDC funds ongoing research into herbicide resistance to ensure affected areas and number of weed species with resistance data remains up to date.

Growers in Queensland need to give permission to take part, and those interested should contact Adam Jalaludin on 13 25 23 or email adam.jalaludin@daf.qld.gov.au.

Website: http://www.grdc.com.au

Published: July 13, 2016