Germination biology of button grass (Dactyloctenium radulans) (R.Br.) P.Beauv.: An emerging summer grass weed in cotton farming systems

2017

Research organisaton
Funding sources
Cotton Research Develeopment Crporation (CRDC) <abbr title='Department of Primary Industries (New South Wales)'>DPI NSW</abbr>

Trial details

Researcher(s) Asad Asaduzzaman
Eric Koetz
Year(s) 2017
Contributor Department of Primary Industries NSW
Trial location(s) Macquarie, ACT
Lachlan River, NSW
Murrumbidgee, NSW
Darling Downs, QLD
Further information View external link
Germination biology of button grass (Dactyloctenium radulans) (R.Br.) P.Beauv.: An emerging summer grass weed in cotton farming systems locations
Aims

The objectives of this study were to assess the current level of infestations of Button grass (Dactyloctenium radulans) both in dryland and irrigated cotton farming systems and also to investigate the germination biology for future phenology/biology studies of this species.

Key messages

• The random survey found that button grass infests approximately 45% of cotton fields.

• The species shows a high level of physical seed dormancy.

• Seedlings of this species can survive a moderate level of water stress.

• Southern populations of this species are sensitive to saline conditions.

Darling Downs QLD 2017 Cotton

The D. radulans infestations at each field were evaluated based on an ecological scale. Only mature D. radulans seeds were collected.  The germination and dormancy of non-scarified seeds was examined at laboratory conditions (12 hours light/dark cycle at 28/22 °C for 12 days) within five days of seed collection. D. radulans is known to have dormant seeds and therefore 100% germination was not expected. The D. radulans germination biology was examined through controlled environment experiments. 

The wide spread of D. radulans might be due to its dormancy mechanisms – dormancy is the capacity of seeds to remain in a suspended state in unfavourable conditions. We established that physical dormancy has a major influence on seedling emergence timing. Once dormancy is broken, environmental conditions determine the rate of germination. Populations of D. radulans from the southern region are moderately tolerant to water stress, but sensitive to saline conditions during germination. Germination behaviour can also differ among seeds produced in different seasons, years and locations, although additional research is required for this to be established. The study of phenology and current level of herbicide sensitivity in different populations of D. radulans are under way. These results will provide a benchmark for better understanding the persistence of D. radulans as an emerging weed in cotton farming systems and contribute to developing an effective management tool.
 

Lead research organisation Department of Primary Industries NSW
Host research organisation N/A
Trial funding source Cotton Research Develeopment Crporation (CRDC) DAN1402
Trial funding source DPI NSW
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments

Hard to control weeds in northern cotton farming systems’, DAN1402, 2013–18, is a project with joint investment by the CRDC and NSW DPI.


Other trial partners Not specified
Download the trial report to view additional trial information

Method

Crop types Other crop: Cotton Weed: Other grass
Treatment type(s)
  • Management systems: Integrated weed management
Trial type
Trial design

Macquarie 2017 Cotton

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Other trial notes

This research paper is an extract from the publication Southern NSW Research Results 2018, available at
https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/broadacre-crops/guides/publications/southern-nsw-research-results

Lachlan River 2017 Cotton

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Other trial notes

This research paper is an extract from the publication Southern NSW Research Results 2018, available at
https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/broadacre-crops/guides/publications/southern-nsw-research-results

Murrumbidgee 2017 Cotton

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Other trial notes

This research paper is an extract from the publication Southern NSW Research Results 2018, available at
https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/broadacre-crops/guides/publications/southern-nsw-research-results

Darling Downs 2017 Other grass

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Other trial notes

This research paper is an extract from the publication Southern NSW Research Results 2018, available at
https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/broadacre-crops/guides/publications/southern-nsw-research-results

Darling Downs 2017 Cotton

Sow date Not applicable
Harvest date Not applicable
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Other trial notes

This research paper is an extract from the publication Southern NSW Research Results 2018, available at
https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/broadacre-crops/guides/publications/southern-nsw-research-results

Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information
Trial source data and summary not available
Check the trial report PDF for trial results.
Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Not specified
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Macquarie, ACT Not specified
Lachlan River, NSW Not specified
Murrumbidgee, NSW Not specified
Darling Downs, QLD Not specified
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Macquarie, ACT Sodosol
Lachlan River, NSW Kandosol
Murrumbidgee, NSW Kandosol
Darling Downs, QLD Sodosol
Soil Moisture Source: BOM/ANU
Average amount of water stored in the soil profile during the year, estimated by the OzWALD model-data fusion system.
Year Macquarie ACT Lachlan River NSW Murrumbidgee NSW Darling Downs QLD
2017 617.9mm597.4mm337.9mm518.2mm
2016 644.6mm606.7mm352.4mm543.4mm
2015 634.1mm500.4mm229.8mm529.1mm
2014 629.2mm501.7mm226.5mm509.5mm
2013 620.1mm506.8mm260.9mm522.4mm
2012 639.2mm550.7mm349.8mm539.8mm
2011 632.1mm595.3mm343.5mm549.9mm
2010 660.7mm578.5mm276.5mm605.8mm
2009 621.8mm517.4mm211.6mm590.7mm
2008 617.4mm503.4mm229.2mm580.2mm
2007 604.7mm439.3mm224.9mm575.1mm
2006 599.0mm453.6mm278.5mm523.3mm
2005 641.3mm427.2mm302.4mm491.8mm
2004 608.2mm387.3mm277.3mm495.6mm
2003 603.2mm380.7mm290.7mm516.6mm
2002 612.0mm358.2mm353.5mm508.6mm
2001 622.2mm424.9mm399.3mm515.6mm
2000 590.2mm446.5mm424.0mm512.3mm
National soil grid Source: CSIRO/TERN
NOTE: National Soil Grid data is aggregated information for background information on the wider area
Actual soil values can vary significantly in a small area and the trial soil tests are the most relevant data where available

Soil properties

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Climate

Derived climate information

No observed climate data available for this trial.
Derived climate data is determined from trial site location and national weather sources.

Macquarie QLD

Lachlan River QLD

Murrumbidgee QLD

Darling Downs QLD

Macquarie QLD

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Lachlan River QLD

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Murrumbidgee QLD

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Darling Downs QLD

NOTE: Exact trial site locality unknown - Climate data may not be accurate
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Some data on this site is sourced from the Bureau of Meteorology

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.

Trial report and links

2017 trial report



Trial last modified: 08-06-2023 12:50pm AEST