Costs of Key Integrated Weed Management Tactics in the Northern Region

Summary

Broad-scale herbicide resistance is continuing to spread through the GRDC Northern Region. Growers can choose from a range of chemical and non-chemical integrated weed management tactics that delay or prevent resistance developing or control herbicide resistant weeds.

Major weeds of the northern grains region include feathertop rhodes grass, windmill grass, flaxleaf fleabane, awnless barnyard and liverseed grasses, common sowthistle, wild oats and annual ryegrass.

Weeds cause economic losses in various ways, usually by reducing crop yields or contaminating harvested grain.

Weeds use soil moisture during a fallow or cropping period, resulting in less moisture being available for the following crop.

Weed competition for moisture may result in poor crop establishment and growth, therefore reducing crop yield potential. For example, chickpea seedlings are poor competitors and even relatively low densities of Group A-resistant wild oats in chickpeas can reduce yields significantly.

Weed seed contamination of harvested grain can result in either seed grading being required or discounts on contaminated grain.

This Primefact provides cost estimates based on the weed control data provided in the cited sources.




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Primefact 1460 First Edition

Published: Aug 2016