Western Australia
May 10, 2007
The Department of
Agriculture and Food, Western Australia is working with
landowners to develop an integrated approach to manage
Paterson’s curse at Keysbrook after trials confirmed the weed
was resistant to herbicides.
Department development officer Andrew Reeves said scientific
trials had shown Paterson’s curse on a Keysbook property was
resistant to group B herbicides, Metsulfuron and Chlorsulfuron
and partially resistant to the group B herbicide Flumetsulam.
The weed has also shown reduced activity to Group C herbicides
with Terbutryn as the active ingredient.
“This combined level of herbicide resistance considerably
reduces the control options for properties infested with
Paterson’s curse, and the limited number of alternative
herbicide products will reduce management options for owners,”
Mr Reeves said.
 Mr Reeves said the Department was promoting an integrated
management approach with property owners to treat germinating
plants and to ensure that any mature plants were not allowed to
produce viable seed.
“Alternative herbicide treatments combined with mechanical
slashing to reduce the seed set of flowering plants should be
used over several seasons to achieve the required level of
control for this weed,” Mr Reeves said.
“This build up of herbicide resistance in a weed species
highlights the importance of rotating the use of different
herbicides combined with the use of traditional weed management
practices.
“The importance of a well established pasture that is capable of
out competing weeds is also a vital component of maintaining
productive agricultural land and resilience to the establishment
of weeds.” Mr Reeves said.
For further information on Paterson’s Curse and control options
visit the Department of Agriculture and Food’s website
www.agric.wa.gov.au or contact your local Department office. |
