Paterson’s curse control

Page last updated: Wednesday, 18 January 2017 - 11:56am

Please note: This content may be out of date and is currently under review.

Control methods for Paterson’s curse (Echium plantagineum) a declared pest in Western Australia.

Information about this pest can be found on the Paterson’s curse: declared pest page.

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Chemical requirements

When using any agricultural chemicals please ensure that you always follow instructions on the label and any permit. Users of agricultural chemical products must always strictly comply with the directions on the label and the conditions of any permit. To view permits or product labels go to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority website.

Control options

Chemical control options can be found below. For other methods of prevention (biosecurity) please refer to the Paterson's curse: what you should know page and the attached biological control article.

Chemical control options

Recommended herbicides
In cereals

Chlorsulfuron; Metsulfuron methyl; Triasulfuron; Tigrex; Broadstrike; Jaguar; Bromoxynil + MCPA

In pasture, up to four leaf stage

Jaguar®; Tigrex®; Broadstrike®; Bromoxynil + MCPA

At early flowering, seed set control

Chlorsulfuron; Metsulfuron methyl; Triasulfuron; Glyphosate + 2,4-D LV ester

Herbicide: 2,4-D amine (Group I) (various trade names: see APVMA link)

Active ingredient

  1. 500g/L 2,4-D amine
  2. 625g/L

Rates of dilution for spot spraying

Not recommended

Amount of product/10L water

Not recommended

Rate of product/ha

  1. 0.75L for 'spray grazing' - 1.6L for rosettes less than 10 leaves
  2. 0.6L for 'spray grazing' - 1.3L for rosettes less than 10 leaves

Time of application

'Spray grazing’, winter - from three weeks after germination

Remarks

'Spray graze’ technique for selective control in pastures

More information and other control methods

‘Spray grazing’ apply low rate (0.75L) of 2,4-D amine (500g/L) or MCPA (1L/ha) and heavy graze at four to six times normal stocking rate from seven to ten days after treatment. Best results in small paddocks 10-20ha.  Other formulations of 2,4-D amine are available and if using these adjust rates accordingly.

Herbicide: Chlorsulfuron (Group B) (various trade names: see APVMA link)

Active ingredient

750g/kg chlorsulfuron

Rates of dilution for spot spraying

1g/50L

Amount of product/10L water

0.2g

Rate of product/ha

15–20g

Wetting agent dilution

1:400

Time of application

  • In cereals: wheat pre-sowing. Wheat, barley and oats post-emergence.
  • In pasture: apply at early flowering to prevent seed formation. The addition of 750mL-1L of 2,4-D amine (500g/L) will improve the control.

Remarks

  • Ensure chlorsulfuron is thoroughly dissolved when using small quantities prior to adding to tank mix.
  • May also be used for spot spraying, roadsides etc. Can be used in non-legume pastures. Spot spraying recommendations are based on 20g/ha.
  • An application of 1g/L through a blanket wiper can also be effective in pasture where reduced damage to subterranean clover is desired.

More information and other control methods

Application of 10–15g/ha at flowering prevents seed formation. Addition of 2,4 –D amine at 10mL/10L or 1L/ha will improve control of seed formation.

Herbicide: Metsulfuron methyl (Group B) (various trade names: see APVMA link)

Active ingredient

600g/kg metsulfuron-methyl

Rate of product/ha

5g

Rates of dilution for spot spraying

0.5g/100L water

Wetting agent dilution

1:400

Time of application

  • In cereals: pre-sowing in wheat only. Post-emergence in wheat and barley.
  • In pastures: at flowering of Paterson's curse for seed control.

Remarks

More effective on older plants, that is, August – September

More information and other control methods

Addition of 2,4 –D amine @ 1L/ha of 500g/L or 0.8L of 625g/L will improve control of seed formation.

Herbicide: Triasulfuron (Group B) (various trade names: see APVMA link)

Active ingredient

714g/kg triasulfuron

Rate of product/ha

  1. 30g
  2. 15g

Time of application

  1. Apply pre-emergence to wheat only
  2. At early flowering of Paterson’s curse for control of seed formation on plants growing along road sides

Remarks

For seed set control. Addition of 0.75-1L 2,4-D amine (500g/L) or 0.6 – 0.8L/ha of the 625g/L 2,4-D amine concentration will give a quicker kill of seeds.

More information and other control methods

  • Triasulfuron, metsulfuron or chlorsulfuron @ 1g/L of water are effective for controlling seed set when used through a ‘Blanket wiper’ on plants that have run up in pasture.
  • Resistance has developed to these chemicals so it is important to rotate use.
  • Results are poorer once green/black seeds of Paterson’s curse are present.

Herbicide: Glyphosate + 2,4-D LV ester (various trade names: see APVMA link)

Active ingredient

  1. 360g/L or
  2. 450g/L glyphosate (Group M) + 600g/L or 680g/L 2,4-D LV ester (Group I)

Other concentrations of glyphosate are available. Adjust rates if using them.

Amount of product/10L water

  1. 5mL or
  2. 4mL

+ 5mL LV ester

Rate of product/ha

  1. 500mL or
  2. 400mL

+ 500mL of 2,4-D LV ester

Time of application

At early flowering

Remarks

Where Paterson's curse is growing in drains or near water courses the herbicide Roundup Biactive® should be used. An APVMA permit is required to apply 2,4-D ester (80%) from 1 September until 1 May. Alternative formulations of 2,4-D are available to substitute the 80% formulation. Rates should be adjusted for the different formulations.

More information and other control methods

Glyphosate is suitable for spot spraying in non-selective situations. Care should be taken to check for restricted spraying permits when applying 2,4-D ester. This treatment is only suitable in cereal growing areas where there are no commercial vineyards or tomato gardens.

Herbicide: Jaguar®

Active ingredient

250g/L bromoxynil (Group C) + 25g/L diflufenican (Group F)

Rate of product/ha

500-750mL/ha

Time of application

Lower rate for plants with less than two leaves, higher rates for plants with up to four leaves

Remarks

Registered in cereals and pastures, including cover crops in vineyards

More information and other control methods

Similar product Barracuda registered @ 600mL for small Paterson’s curse

Herbicide: Tigrex®

Active ingredient

250g/L MCPA (Group I) + 25g/L diflufenican  (Group F)

Rate of product/ha

1L/ha

Time of application

Up to four leaf stage

Remarks

Clovers should have three trifoliate leaves

More information and other control methods

Some yellowing of clovers may occur. Check label for tolerance of various clovers.

Herbicide: Broadstrike® (Group B)

Active ingredient

800g/kg flumetsulam

Rate of product/ha

25g/ha

Wetting agent dilution

1:400 BS 1000 or Uptake® at 500mL/100L

Remarks

Safe on clovers. Appears more effective in the south west. Clovers should have three trifoliate leaves. Paterson’s curse around metro areas has developed resistance to this herbicide as well as the sulfonyl areas.

More information and other control methods

Restrictions on grazing or cutting for stockfeed as follows:

  • Medic/clover three days.
  • Wheat eight weeks after treatment.
  • Improved control has been obtained when this product is mixed with terbutryn (Igran) @ 300-500mL/ha. If using this mixture with Broadstrike, do not use the spraying oil Uptake®. Only use a non-ionic wetting agent.

Contact information

Pest and Disease Information Service (PaDIS)
+61 (0)8 9368 3080