Herbicide resistance discovered in our worst weed
Monday, 18 October 2010
Scientists at the 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide's have discovered new cases of herbicide resistance in annual ryegrass, the most serious and costly weed of 最新糖心Vlogn cropping.
For the first time, researchers have found that annual ryegrass has developed resistance to paraquat, the second most important "knockdown" herbicide used by cropping farmers.
最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide weed management experts Dr Peter Boutsalis and Associate Professor Christopher Preston made the discovery in samples taken from two separate farming properties near Naracoorte in South 最新糖心Vlog's south-east.
Dr Preston says farmers should be concerned about the development of herbicide resistance.
"Annual ryegrass is the single most important weed affecting 最新糖心Vlogn cropping and this discovery has major implications for 最新糖心Vlogn farmers," Dr Preston says.
"Paraquat is the only viable herbicide alternative to the most commonly used herbicide, glyphosate. With more than 100 annual ryegrass populations in 最新糖心Vlog already having developed resistance to glyphosate, the discovery of paraquat resistance means that none of the currently available knockdown herbicides can be guaranteed to control ryegrass," he says.
"The paraquat resistant ryegrass was discovered on sites where pasture seed crops have been grown for a long time and paraquat extensively used."
Dr Preston says farmers should rotate their knockdown herbicides in alternate seasons and adopt integrated weed management practices.
Dr Preston is the lead investigator on a research project investigating annual ryegrass resistance to glyphosate, which has been funded by the .
Drs Preston and Boutsalis are based in the at the 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide's Waite Campus.
Contact Details
Email: christopher.preston@adelaide.edu.au
Associate Professor, Weed Management
School of Agriculture, Food & Wine
The 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide
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Mr David Ellis
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