Australian Herbicide Resistance Initiative (AHRI) insight #94 - Integrated Harrington Seed Destructor: encouraging research despite challenges during 2017 harvest
Australia
February 20, 2018
It would be remiss of us to talk about the latest integrated Harrington Seed Destructor (iHSD) research without acknowledging the challenges with this new machinery during the 2017 harvest.
It was frustrating for everyone, but the researchers, manufacturers and suppliers are playing the long game, and they are dedicated to succeeding in the long run.
Recent research by Michael Walsh, which commenced at AHRI and was completed at Sydney University with help from John Broster at Charles Sturt University (CSU), shows that despite the problems that have been experienced with the new machines, iHSD mills are passing the research tests with flying colours.
The research concluded that:
The iHSD achieved 96-99% destruction of the seeds of 11 weed species when processed in wheat chaff;
Weed seed destruction varied by about 10% depending on crop chaff type – ryegrass seed kill was greatest in Lupin (98%) > Wheat (92%) > Canola (90%) > Barley (88%);
Weed seed kill dropped by about 4% when chaff moisture increased above 12%; and
Weed seed kill increases with mill speed and 3000rpm is the accepted optimal speed.
For more about this excellent research and the weed species tested click through to the website below.
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