Researcher(s) |
Brian Dzoma (EPARF) |
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Year(s) | 2015 |
Contributor | Eyre Peninsula Agricultural Research Foundation |
Trial location(s) |
Kyancutta, SA
|
Onion weed (Asphodelus fistulosusis) is a significant pest of crops and pastures on many soil types on upper EP. Onion weed that germinates in the pasture phase often results in thick stands of large plants that require repeated herbicide application and/or cultivation to control prior to a crop phase. Cultivation prior to sowing is a widespread practice to control the weed and reduce the residues to manageable levels. However, cultivation can expose the soil to erosion.
Onion weed in pastures regularly sets seed prior to the end of the growing season, ensuring the seed bank is replenished and the weed persists in every phase of the rotation. A key strategy to reduce the impact of onion weed, and the need for cultivation, is to reduce growth and seed set in the pasture phase of the rotation. Non-selective herbicides can control actively growing onion weed plants, but pasture growth is also affected.
Previous trials by the UNFS group, MDB NRM, and PIRSA have shown the following herbicides can provide adequate control of onion weed in non-selective situations:
Paraquat and double knocks of paraquat
Glyphosate plus metsulfuron methyl mixtures (+/- paraquat second knock)
Glyphosate plus LVE ester 2,4- D plus metsulfuron methyl,( +/- paraquat second knock)
Chlorsulfuron
Spray Seed
Alliance
This trial was established to investigate herbicide control of autumn/winter germinating onion weed in the pasture phase, while maintaining the productivity of the medic pasture. This trial evaluated the herbicide control of young actively growing onion weed in a vigorous medic pasture. The herbicides, with the exception of paraquat, were chosen to minimise the impact on the medic biomass production.
Lead research organisation |
SARDI Minnipa Agricultural Centre |
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Host research organisation |
Eyre Peninsula Agricultural Research Foundation |
Trial funding source | NLP |
Related program | N/A |
Acknowledgments |
Thanks to Tash and Brett O’Brien for the use of their property. This trial was funded by the EPNRM Board through the National Landcare Program. Trial Products were supplied by Bayer Crop Science (Brodal Options), Nufarm (MCPA Agritone 750ai, Kyte 700 WG, BroadSword, Buttress, Bromicide 200), Crop Care (Alliance, Agtryne MA, Nail 240, Raptor WG), Syngenta (Gramoxone 250), Sipcam (Ecopar). |
Other trial partners | Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Board |
Crop type | Pasture: Medic |
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Treatment type(s) |
|
Trial type | Experimental |
Trial design | Replicated |
Sow date | Not specified |
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Harvest date | Not specified |
Plot size | 6m x 1.5m |
Plot replication | 3 |
Herbicide |
Herbicide treatments were applied to the replicated trial on 29 May 2015 with a tractor mounted 3-point linkage shrouded sprayer (water rate @ 100 L/ha). Most of the onion weed was less than 10 cm high. Onion weed counts were taken from each plot prior to herbicide application and at the end of the trial. See article for herbicide used and rates. |
Rainfall avg ann (mm) | 316mm |
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Rainfall avg gsr (mm) | 248mm |
Rainfall trial total (mm) | 278mm |
Rainfall trial gsr (mm) | 253mm |
SILO weather estimates sourced from https://www.longpaddock.qld.gov.au/silo/
Jeffrey, S.J., Carter, J.O., Moodie, K.B. and Beswick, A.R. (2001). Using spatial interpolation to construct a comprehensive archive of Australian climate data , Environmental Modelling and Software, Vol 16/4, pp 309-330. DOI: 10.1016/S1364-8152(01)00008-1.