Time to stomp on Paterson's curse

NSW Agriculture has issued a timely reminder that now is the best time to control Paterson's curse - sometimes referred to as Salvation Jane.

Herbicide control has been shown to be far more effective when the plants are in the rosette stage rather than when the plants are fully developed and flowering.

"Plants in the early stages of their development are more susceptible to the herbicide and action taken now to control the weed will save landholders a lot of money in the long term," NSW Agriculture Weeds Specialist Jim Dellow said.

"The weed is a strong competitor for pastures, so getting rid of the weed now will allow the pasture to develop in the warmer weather."

Paterson's curse is one of Australian's biggest weed problems, costing an estimated $75 million to the wool industry, with additional costs to other industries and the environment.

Despite its colorful appearance in spring, it can cause liver damage in animals, with horses and pigs particularly susceptible.

Plants can produce up to 5,000 seeds and in the soil there is likely to be up to 30,000 seeds per square metre that can remain viable for five years. 

Mr Dellow said Paterson's curse was a robust annual herb that could grow in any soil but was worse on the lighter soils.

"There has been a rapid increase in the spread of Paterson's curse because of the drought and we can expect to see vast areas of the purple flowered weed next spring," he said.

"Landholders should therefore be targeting areas where they observed the weed last year, but they also need to be on the lookout for any new sightings.

"Herbicide treatment will need to continue for a number of years before the seed bank is reduced to manageable levels."

Currently there are a number of herbicide treatments available depending on the situation and landholders should seek advice from their local adviser.  

Sub-lethal rate of herbicides in association with grazing management of sheep (spray/graze technique) have proven to be a very good and reliable technique for early control of PC.

Biological control agents under development as part of an Australia-wide collaborative project are expected to be a key plank in an integrated approach to managing Paterson's curse some time in the future.

Further information on herbicide options is available from NSW Agriculture's 'Weed Control in Lucerne and Pastures 2004' available from NSW Agriculture offices throughout the State.

Media Contacts: Jim Dellow, NSW Agriculture's Orange Agricultural Institute, 6391 3889, or Janene Kidston, District Agronomist at Mudgee, 6372 4700 or 0427 401 652

Issued by: Annette Cross, NSW Agriculture Tamworth, ph: 6763 1243 or 0427 201 840