Australia
January 29, 2016

Four Australian populations of the increasingly widespread annual sub-tropical weed feathertop Rhodes grass (Chloris virgata) have been confirmed resistant to the key herbicide glyphosate.

Feathertop Rhodes grass is yet another species that has increased its abundance during the last 10 years largely due to widespread adoption of no-till cropping and the shift to glyphosate-based weed control on road verges.

Large infestation of feathertop Rhodes grass in southern Western Australia where it is spreading with summer rains. Image: AGRONOMO

“We have now confirmed that two populations from cropping land in New South Wales and Queensland and two from roadsides in South Australia are not controlled with glyphosate at the seedling stage and therefore are classified as resistant,” said Dr Chris Preston, chair of the Australian Glyphosate Sustainability Working Group (AGSWG).

“Glyphosate is normally effective on actively growing seedlings, however, once feathertop Rhodes grass begins to tiller it is tolerant of very high rates. Again this is another unwanted world first for Australia,” said Dr Preston.

Whilst the weed is not listed on any glyphosate herbicide labels, glyphosate has been widely used in Queensland and northern NSW to control seedlings. 

Feathertop Rhodes grass has been found across Australia for decades as a weed of roadsides, fence lines and unmanaged land, especially in summer rainfall areas and irrigated agriculture. During the last 15 years it has become a major cropping weed in Queensland and northern NSW as well as horticultural plantings such as vineyards. It is also dominating many roadsides across southern Australia.

The success of feathertop Rhodes grass is due to the rapid production of large numbers of seed that are easily shed from the heads. Seed germinates if left on the soil surface, with sufficient moisture and temperatures above 25°C. Seed banks appear to be short-lived at around 12 months and burial of seed at any depth prevents germination.

Feathertop Rhodes grass head showing shedding seed. Image: AGRONOMO

Management strategies need to involve a range a tactics aimed at stopping the production of any fertile seed.

“This poses significant challenges on roadsides where most road managers have opted for glyphosate as the main strategy,” stated Dr Preston. “A shift to grass selective Group A herbicides without a robust second ‘knock’ will lead to the rapid development of Group A resistance in this species.”

All infestations must be mapped and targeted to prevent spread. Avoid road works and slashing plants with seed heads. Do not move soil likely to be contaminated with seed to ‘clean’ areas.

The AGSWG is supported by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and key R&D-based crop protection companies with an interest in the sustainability of glyphosate.

The group’s website has a range of information about glyphosate resistance including a register of glyphosate resistant weed populations and guides and links for management of glyphosate resistance in different crops and management situations. Go to www.glyphosateresistance.org.au for more information.

For information on herbicide sustainability visit the WeedSmart information hub at www.weedsmart.org.au
 

Website: http://www.grdc.com.au

Published: January 29, 2016