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

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.
Summer weeds

17 January 2014

Summer weeds can rob subsequent crops of soil nitrogen and stored soil water. They can also reduce crop emergence by causing physical and/or chemical interference at seeding time.
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.
Herbicide application

18 January 2011

Herbicides can be applied by a variety of means including boom sprayers, aerial spraying, misters, blanket wipers, rope wick applicators, weed seekers and back-pack sprayers.
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.
Crop weeds: stop weed seed set

15 June 2012

Preventing weed seed set provides an opportunity to control weed seed set in the pasture, late fallow, late stubble and in-crop phases.
Crop weeds: weed management at harvest

29 May 2012

This management strategy provides an opportunity to control weed seed set in the pasture and during harvest.