Australia
January 15, 2009
Fighting herbicide resistance in
weeds is prompting trimming - cutting weed heads above the crop
before seeds mature and spread.
A GRDC supported DAFWA
trial recently tested the weed trimming method using a harvester
converted to a swather and set at a height to cut seed heads
protruding from the crop.
Department of
Agriculture and Food Western Australia (DAFWA) Development
Officer, Glen Riethmuller, said it offered an alternative weed
control method that, if used effectively, could reduce the weed
seed bank.
"Weed seed head trimming can reduce weed seeds, particularly in
a tramline farming or controlled traffic system where the weed
heads are well above the crop canopy," Mr Riethmuller said.
"Indian hedge mustard seed in chickpea crops and wild radish in
lupins were successfully targeted and weed seed numbers were
reduced by around half." |
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