Crop weeds

Weeds are estimated to cost Australian agriculture more than $2.5 billion per year. Understanding weeds and the various methods to control them ultimately reduces costs and improves productivity.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development conducts research into the management of weeds and has developed integrated weed management (IWM) packages, that incorporate a number of varied weed control options, including chemical, physical and biological strategies, are vital for sustainable weed management in this state.

Weed populations that have developed herbicide resistance, where standard herbicide treatments are no longer effective, pose an increasing threat to WA's agricultural production.

Articles

Residual herbicides - carryover and behaviour in dry conditions

8 June 2018

The term 'residual' applies to a number of herbicides that have a long lasting activity in the soil. These herbicides are often applied directly to the soil prior to planting crops, pre-emergent.
Soil inversion to ameliorate soil water repellence

19 December 2010

One-off soil inversion results in the complete burial of the water repellent topsoil in a layer typically at a depth of 15 to 35 cm, and brings to the surface a layer of wettable subsoil.
Windmill grass

23 May 2012

Windmill grass (Chloris truncata) is a native species and is the tenth most common summer weed species in the Western Australian wheatbelt.
Annual ryegrass

6 October 2011

Annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) is one of the most serious and costly weeds of annual winter cropping systems in southern Australia.
Management of brome grass

20 March 2014

Brome grasses (Bromus spp.) are highly competitive weeds, most problematic in wheat crops.
Weed Seed Wizard details

15 August 2012

The Weed Seed Wizard is a computer simulation tool that uses paddock management information to predict weed emergence and crop losses.
Crop weeds: Hygiene - prevent weed seed introduction

29 May 2012

‘Risk-aware’ growers can implement strategies to reduce and avoid unnecessary introduction and spread of weeds.
Assessing weed population density

27 January 2011

The most accurate way to estimate the weed population of a paddock is to count the number of plants in an area of known size at a number of locations.
Capeweed reduces crop yield

4 February 2011

In Western Australia, competition from 7-90 capeweed plants per square metre in a wheat crop can reduce crop yield by 28-44% and net return by 25-76%.
Crop weeds: reduce weed seed numbers in the soil

9 December 2010

One method of weed control is to remove weed seeds in the fallow, stubble and pre-sowing phase.