Crop weeds

Weeds are estimated to cost Australian agriculture more than $2.5 billion per year. Understanding weeds and the various methods to control them ultimately reduces costs and improves productivity.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development conducts research into the management of weeds and has developed integrated weed management (IWM) packages, that incorporate a number of varied weed control options, including chemical, physical and biological strategies, are vital for sustainable weed management in this state.

Weed populations that have developed herbicide resistance, where standard herbicide treatments are no longer effective, pose an increasing threat to WA's agricultural production.

Articles

Crop weeds: stop weed seed set

15 June 2012

Preventing weed seed set provides an opportunity to control weed seed set in the pasture, late fallow, late stubble and in-crop phases.
Crop weeds: weed management at harvest

29 May 2012

This management strategy provides an opportunity to control weed seed set in the pasture and during harvest.
Doublegee

3 February 2011

Doublegee or spiny emex is a significant weed in Western Australia. It is a vigorous annual herb with a strong tap root and a long, fleshy, hairless stem.
Silver grass

4 February 2011

Silver grass is an annual grass occurring in both cropping and grazing regions across Australia. There are several species, the most common being Vulpia myuros and V. bromoides.
Wild radish

18 May 2012

Wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum) is highly competitive in crops and can cause a yield loss of 10-90%.
Herbicide resistance

31 January 2011

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.
Pasture manipulation - for grass control

30 April 2015

Pasture manipulation is the application of herbicides for grass control early in the growing season (autumn or early winter).

It is often the preferred option for grass control.
Chemical weed control in canola

2 September 2020

The Chemical weed control in canola bulletin has been produced by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, with co-investment from the Grains Research and Development Corporat
Crop weeds: integrated weed management (IWM)

12 January 2011

In-crop weed competition causes losses costing around $1 billion per annum for Western Australia.
Crop weeds: controlling small weeds

14 January 2011

In an integrated weed management program, control of weeds should occur in the fallow, pre-sowing, early post-emergent and in pasture phases.