| Researcher(s) |
Catherine Borger Sam Stubna |
|---|---|
| Contact email | catherine.borger@dpird.wa.gov.au |
| Contact phone | 0467816082 |
| Year(s) | 2019 - 2021 |
| Contributor | Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development WA |
| Trial location(s) |
Esperance, WA
|
| Related trials |
|
Barley grass is one of the major weeds in the southern region. Many southern growers think their barley grass is resistant to grass selective herbicides and may have developed late germination to avoid pre-seeding herbicides. In this area, barley grass is a major problem in pastures, and often in break crops as well.
The trial aims to investigate pre-emergent herbicides in wheat in 2019, crop density and post-emergent herbicides in barley in 2020, and pre-emergent herbicides and grass selective herbicides in vetch in 2021.
Crop yield was low in all treatments, due to very low rainfall during the 2019 season. Barley grass seed production was lowest following Sakura® + Treflan® and Sakura® alone.
Different seeding rates made no difference to crop density, as the establishment was low and variable due to dry conditions. Intercept® applied in-crop provided excellent weed control across the trial.
The best barley grass control in vetch was from Quiz® and clethodim post emergent.
| Lead research organisation |
University of Adelaide |
|---|---|
| Host research organisation |
South East Premium Wheat Growers Association |
| Trial funding source | GRDC UOA1903-004SAX |
| Trial funding source | DPIRD WA UOA1903-004SAX |
| Related program |
Demonstrating and validating the implementation of integrated weed management strategies to control barley grass in the low rainfall zone farming system |
| Acknowledgments |
We would like to thank the Harris family for providing a site and running the trial, and Michelle Handley, Niki Curtis and Andrea Carmody (SEPWA), Greg Warren and Richard Scott (Farm & General) and Nerys Wilkins (DPIRD) for their assistance with the trial management and measurements. The trial was sponsored by BASF (who provided Luximax® herbicide). |
| Other trial partners | Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development |
| Crop types | Cereal (Grain): Wheat Cereal (Grain): Barley Hay: Vetch |
|---|---|
| Treatment type(s) |
|
| Trial type | Demonstration |
| Trial design | Randomised,Replicated |
| Sow rate or Target density | 65 kg/ha |
|---|---|
| Sowing machinery |
Wheat cv. Mace 56 foot John Deere Conserva Pack, borgault bin and liquid cart 30cm row spacing |
| Sow date | 14 June 2019 |
| Harvest date | 18 November 2019 |
| Plot size | 36m x 1400m |
| Plot replication | 4 |
| Plot blocking | Yes |
| Plot randomisation | Randomised block design |
| Fertiliser |
14 Jun 2019. DAPSZC at 80kg/ha, UAN at 50L/ha, zinc sulphate at 1L/ha, manganese sulphate at 1L/ha |
| Herbicide |
30 May 2019. Glyphosate 540 at 2L/ha 3 Jun 2019. Gramoxone® 360 2L/ha + Sharpen® 17g/ha 14 Jun 2019. Pre-emergent herbicides prior to seeding, according to treatments
|
| Fungicide |
14 Jun 2019. Flutriafol® 250 at 300mL/ha |
| Other trial notes |
The greater crop yield, and visual assessment of the good barley grass control with a higher level of Intercept® highlight the value of this herbicide in 2020. The grower, who was using the trial to test the suitability of ClearfieldTM barley to the enterprise, gained the confidence to plant 50% of the barley program to ClearfieldTM barley cv. Spartacus in 2021. However, this trial also highlights the problem with late cohorts of barley grass and the limited options for controlling late cohorts. The GRDC project UA00156 (‘Seed bank ecology’) highlighted that it is common for barley grass to have delayed emergence compared to some other winter grass species (like great brome or annual ryegrass). The project further highlighted that, depending on seasonal conditions, barley grass emergence can continue in July and August. These late cohorts are not controlled by post-emergent herbicides, and harvest weed seed control may have limited practicality for barley grass, depending on shedding times. This trial has shown that, in cereal crops, both pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicides can provide excellent weed control, but late-emerging cohorts can replenish the seed bank. The pasture rotation in 2021 offered a valuable opportunity to apply control measures later in the season, with two applications of grass selective herbicide. This late-season control to reduce seed production of staggered cohorts gave excellent seed set control. This confirms that break crops, with more herbicide options, are excellent for grass weed control. The soil constraints in this field are exacerbating the weed issues. A soil amelioration program will increase yield and improve weed control going forward, but amelioration programs can be expensive. Careful consideration should be given to the best type of amelioration, overall cost, and potential benefit. |
| Sow rate or Target density | 40 or 65kg/ha |
|---|---|
| Sowing machinery |
Barley cv. Spartacus 56 foot John Deere Conserva Pack, borgault bin and liquid cart 30cm row spacing |
| Sow date | 30 April 2020 |
| Harvest date | 18 November 2020 |
| Plot size | 36m x 1400m |
| Plot replication | 4 |
| Plot blocking | Yes |
| Plot randomisation | Randomised block design |
| Fertiliser |
29 June 2020. Zn, Mn Flexi N 50L/ha |
| Herbicide |
30 April 2020. Treflan® 2L/ha 29 June 2020. Intercept® 375 or 500mL/ha
|
| Fungicide | Not specified |
| Other trial notes |
The greater crop yield, and visual assessment of the good barley grass control with a higher level of Intercept® highlight the value of this herbicide in 2020. The grower, who was using the trial to test the suitability of ClearfieldTM barley to the enterprise, gained the confidence to plant 50% of the barley program to ClearfieldTM barley cv. Spartacus in 2021. However, this trial also highlights the problem with late cohorts of barley grass and the limited options for controlling late cohorts. The GRDC project UA00156 (‘Seed bank ecology’) highlighted that it is common for barley grass to have delayed emergence compared to some other winter grass species (like great brome or annual ryegrass). The project further highlighted that, depending on seasonal conditions, barley grass emergence can continue in July and August. These late cohorts are not controlled by post-emergent herbicides, and harvest weed seed control may have limited practicality for barley grass, depending on shedding times. This trial has shown that, in cereal crops, both pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicides can provide excellent weed control, but late-emerging cohorts can replenish the seed bank. The pasture rotation in 2021 offered a valuable opportunity to apply control measures later in the season, with two applications of grass selective herbicide. This late-season control to reduce seed production of staggered cohorts gave excellent seed set control. This confirms that break crops, with more herbicide options, are excellent for grass weed control. The soil constraints in this field are exacerbating the weed issues. A soil amelioration program will increase yield and improve weed control going forward, but amelioration programs can be expensive. Careful consideration should be given to the best type of amelioration, overall cost, and potential benefit. |
| Sow rate or Target density | 45 kg/ha |
|---|---|
| Sowing machinery |
Vetch cv. Volga 56 foot John Deere Conserva Pack, borgault bin and liquid cart 30cm row spacing |
| Sow date | 22 April 2021 |
| Harvest date | 15 December 2021 The site was grazed, not harvested. |
| Plot size | 36m x 1400m |
| Plot replication | 4 |
| Plot blocking | Yes |
| Plot randomisation | Randomised block design |
| Fertiliser | Not specified |
| Herbicide |
22 April 2021. Paraquat 360 1L/ha 22 April 2021. Pre-emergent treatments. 12 June 2021. Post-emergent treatments.
|
| Fungicide | Not specified |
| Other trial notes |
The greater crop yield, and visual assessment of the good barley grass control with a higher level of Intercept® highlight the value of this herbicide in 2020. The grower, who was using the trial to test the suitability of ClearfieldTM barley to the enterprise, gained the confidence to plant 50% of the barley program to ClearfieldTM barley cv. Spartacus in 2021. However, this trial also highlights the problem with late cohorts of barley grass and the limited options for controlling late cohorts. The GRDC project UA00156 (‘Seed bank ecology’) highlighted that it is common for barley grass to have delayed emergence compared to some other winter grass species (like great brome or annual ryegrass). The project further highlighted that, depending on seasonal conditions, barley grass emergence can continue in July and August. These late cohorts are not controlled by post-emergent herbicides, and harvest weed seed control may have limited practicality for barley grass, depending on shedding times. This trial has shown that, in cereal crops, both pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicides can provide excellent weed control, but late-emerging cohorts can replenish the seed bank. The pasture rotation in 2021 offered a valuable opportunity to apply control measures later in the season, with two applications of grass selective herbicide. This late-season control to reduce seed production of staggered cohorts gave excellent seed set control. This confirms that break crops, with more herbicide options, are excellent for grass weed control. The soil constraints in this field are exacerbating the weed issues. A soil amelioration program will increase yield and improve weed control going forward, but amelioration programs can be expensive. Careful consideration should be given to the best type of amelioration, overall cost, and potential benefit. |
| # | Variety |
Treatment 1
|
|---|
| # | Variety |
Treatment 1
|
|---|
| # | Variety |
Treatment 1
|
|---|
| Rainfall trial total (mm) | 197mm |
|---|---|
| Rainfall trial gsr (mm) | 155mm |
| Rainfall trial total (mm) | 318mm |
|---|---|
| Rainfall trial gsr (mm) | 183mm |
| Rainfall trial total (mm) | 385mm |
|---|---|
| Rainfall trial gsr (mm) | 269mm |
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.
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