Herbicide resistance is the inherited ability of an individual plant to survive a herbicide application that would kill a normal population of the same species. Herbicide resistance does not equate to poor performance of a herbicide.
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. Use a quadrant, which may be square or circular, to carry out weed plant counts.
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.
Herbicides play a vital role in integrated weed management programs. Knowledge of the mechanisms and activity of herbicides will improve the impact and sustainability of herbicides as a weed management tactic.
In-crop weed competition causes losses costing around $1 billion per annum for Western Australia. There are very effective strategic and tactical options available to manage weed competition that will increase crop yields and profitability.
Frost damage to braocacre crops is a significant annual production constraint for localised parts of the Western Australian wheatbelt. Different crops will show varying symptoms and be susceptible at a range of growth stages.
Frost occurs on clear nights in early spring when the air temperature drops to 2°C or less. Crop damage from frost may occur at any stage of development but is most damaging at or around flowering.
