Weed management and crop protection

In 2019, the University of New England completed a case study assessment of the farm-level impacts of weeds in vegetable production, as part of Hort Innovation-funded project VG15070.

This article summarises the key results of its recently published report, Economics of weed management in the Australian vegetable industry. This was the first time a detailed economic analysis of weed impact and management has been completed at the farm-level in Australia’s vegetable industry.

Grey pumpkins (var. Sampson) were planted the week of 4 November 2019, following strip tillage of terminated ryecorn and conventional tillage (rotary hoe) of terminated oats and vetch cover crop areas respectively. Clomazone herbicide was applied post- sowing pre-emergent (PSPE) at a rate of 0.4 kg a.i./ha and incorporated immediately with 25 mm irrigation water. A small control area was left untreated (no herbicide), both for the strip tilled ryecorn and conventionally tilled oats and vetch cover crop areas. A month post-sowing, most of the conventionally tilled area was inter-row cultivated.

Read this case study to find out more about the trial design, results and key take homes.

A Bathurst pumpkin grower, working with the Soil Wealth team is breaking new ground by using cover crops and strip tillage to make his irrigation water go further.

The VG15070 “A strategic approach to weed management for the Australian Vegetable Industry” project team recently spoke to Director of Field Operations Adam Schreurs and VegNET Victoria Industry Development Officer Carl Larsen, also part of the Soil Wealth ICP team, about the farm's integrated weed management (IWM) approach. Watch this series of two videos to learn more.

Recent surveys of Tasmanian ryegrass (Lolium spp.) populations have shown a significant increase in Group A herbicide resistance. John Broster (Charles Sturt University) found an increase in resistance from 18% in 2010 to 46% in 2015 to diclofop-methyl ‘Fop’ and sethoxydim ‘Dim’ herbicides.

The selection of resistant weeds can occur in just 3-4 years if herbicide groups (Modes of Action) are not rotated. Read this fact sheet for an overview of herbicide resistance and what you can do to avoid and minimise the risk of resistance developing.

Biosecurity planning provides a mechanism for the vegetable industry, government and other relevant stakeholders to actively determine pests of high priority, analyse the risks they pose and implement procedures to reduce the chance of pests becoming established. AUSVEG delivers a number of extension projects with a core biosecurity focus, in addition to project partners like Plant Health Australia.

Most new technology for controlling weeds will be a positive step forward for soil health and the environment, and will play an important role in our fight against herbicide resistant weeds.

Watch this interactive session to hear from leading industry experts on some of the most interesting and practical advances in weed management.

Cover crops + roller crimper + strip tillage have proven a winning combination for a partnership between
Mulyan Farms’ Ed Fagan and AHR’s Marc Hinderager from the Soil Wealth ICP project.

Farm biosecurity is an intergral part of crop protection and plant health.

Farm biosecurity is a set of measures designed to protect a property from the entry and spread of pests and diseases. Farm biosecurity is your responsibility, and that of every person visiting or working on your property.

Visit this website to access the biosecurity essentials, including the Farm Biosecurity Toolkit.

Redback spiders love a hot, dry summer ...

From April to June is ‘redback season', where consumer complaints about redback spiders in broccoli are most likely to surface on social media near you.

Where do they come from? Why are they here? And, most importantly, What can I do about it? These questions and more will be answered by an AHR Webinar featuring Dr Jenny Ekman.

The University of New England are undertaking a four-year research program which aims to help safeguard the vegetable industry by reducing its dependence on herbicides and tillage for weed control.

Chemicals play an important role in vegetable production and are regularly used to control insect pests, diseases and weeds.

Watch this informative and interactive one-hour webinar to get the latest updates from vegetable industry experts in Australia.

Plant biosecurity is a series of measures that aid in protecting production areas from harmful insects, weeds, and various plant diseases.

Watch this informative and interactive one-hour webinar to get the latest updates from vegetable industry experts in Australia.

This guide summarises useful information developed by the Soil Wealth and Integrated Crop Protection (ICP) Phase 1 projects from 2014-2017, and where to find it. These resources are relevant to all major vegetable growing regions in Australia. The resources developed includes fact sheets (51), case studies (12), videos and apps (36), e-newsletters (32 editions), as well as demonstration site information. The main topics covered by these resources include crop management, pest and disease management, and soil, nutrition and compost.

All the resources in this guide can be found on this project website.

The Soil Wealth and Integrated Crop Protection projects provide R&D extension services, products and communication on improved soil management and plant health to the Australian vegetable industry.

From 2014 to 2017, RMCG and AHR have delivered the projects for Horticulture Innovation Australia. Phase 1 of the projects have now been completed. So, what’s been achieved?

Modern crop protection chemistry such as herbicides, insecticides and fungicides, is crucial to farming in Australia and around the world. These essential products and tools are a core foundation to food production and their safe and sustainable use is of critical importance.

Find out more by reading this useful best practice guide developed by CropLife Australia.

A webinar on biofumigation cover crops presented by Julie Finnigan and Dr Kelvin Montagu as part of the Soil Wealth and Integrated Crop Protection projects.

Adjuvants are additives that enhance or modify the action of a chemical. They are commonly classified into broad categories including oils, surfactants, buffers, acidifiers and fertiliser adjuvants. Adjuvants can modify how a chemical forms, spreads or behaves within the spray solution and/or on the target pest.

This fact sheet provides insights into how adjuvants work, what types are available, and recommendations on what one to choose to make sure it's compatible with your pesticides active ingredients.

Pesticide resistance is an ongoing concern for the vegetable industry.

If you missed this webinar on 20 October 2016, listen to the recording with expert practitioners Dr Paul Horne and Jessica Page from IPM Technologies and Carl Larsen, RMCG to find out more about how resistance arises, developing a resistance management strategy, and understanding all the control options available - biological, cultural and chemical.

A webinar on weed management presented by Dr Paul Kristiansen, Dr Kelvin Montagu and Marc Hinderager as part of the Integrated Crop Protection project.

Match your main soil management aim to the southern Australian summer cover crops.

Watch this video if you missed this webinar on 22 July 2016.

Listen to Integrated Pest Management (IPM) experts Dr Paul Horne and Jessica Page with Carl Larsen discuss the chemical, cultural and biological options for controlling insect pests in Australian vegetable crops.

Match your main soil management aim to the southern Australian winter cover crops.

This easy to read fact sheet provides information on control options (both chemical and non-chemical) for high priority pests in capsicums and chillies. This fact sheet is the last in a series of seven publications that provide details on the currently registered and permitted pesticides for key diseases, insects and weeds in your crop.

This easy to read fact sheet provides information on control options (both chemical and non-chemical) for high priority pests in lettuce. This fact sheet is the sixth in a series of seven publications that provide details on the currently registered and permitted pesticides for key diseases, insects and weeds in your crop.

This easy to read fact sheet provides information on control options (both chemical and non-chemical) for high priority pests in cucumbers. This fact sheet is the fifth in a series of seven publications that provide details on the currently registered and permitted pesticides for key diseases, insects and weeds in your crop.

This easy to read fact sheet provides information on control options (both chemical and non-chemical) for high priority pests in celery. This fact sheet is the fourth in a series of seven publications that provide details on the currently registered and permitted pesticides for key diseases, insects and weeds in your crop.

This easy to read fact sheet provides information on control options (both chemical and non-chemical) for high priority pests in carrots. This fact sheet is the third in a series of seven publications that provide details on the currently registered and permitted pesticides for key diseases, insects and weeds in your crop.

This easy to read fact sheet provides information on control options (both chemical and non-chemical) for high priority pests in brassica vegetable crops. This fact sheet is the second in a series of seven publications that provide details on the currently registered and permitted pesticides for key diseases, insects and weeds in your crop.

This easy to read fact sheet provides information on control options (both chemical and non-chemical) for high priority pests in brassica leafy vegetable crops. This fact sheet is the first in a series of seven publications that provide details on the currently registered and permitted pesticides for key diseases, insects and weeds in your crop.

Weeds increase the cost of growing vegetables, reduce crop yield and quality, and impact farm management decisions, such as timing of harvest and choice of herbicide options.

Biofumigation is the use of specialised cover crops, which are grown, mulched and incorporated into the soil prior to cropping. High biomass, especially roots, can provide the traditional benefits of green manure crops, and if done right, naturally occurring compounds from the biofumigant plants can suppress soil-borne pests, diseases and weeds.

This brochure is a guide to integrated weed management in Australian broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprout crops. It provides an overview of weed management methods in these crops based on research conducted for Horticulture Australia Limited. There are 3 key steps to effective weed management. These are:
1. Plan your rotations
2. Identify your weeds
3. Develop your weed management strategy

Helpful four page fact sheet on integrating pest management in lettuce.

This website contains a series of documents to guide you through the successful prodution of lettuce.

This helpful fact sheet outlines the key information required to get the best out of your chemical application.

Want to regain control over chemical-resistant pests? Aiming to reduce costs while meeting quality assurance requirements? The Integrated Crop Protection (ICP) extension team has developed a series of five fact sheets to assist growers manage Mega Pests.

This website contains a series of documents to guide you through the successful prodution of Brassica crops.

This website contains a series of documents to guide you through the successful prodution of sweet corn.

A reduced till system on this Cowra vegetable farm delivered soil, cost and crop benefits.

NSW farmers, Ed and James Fagan explain how they developed a reduced tillage vegetable farming operation in Cowra, NSW.

Reduced till is a system change that relies on keeping the soil in a healthy condition through the use of permanent beds, controlled traffic, cover cropping and crop rotations rather than frequent cultivation.

Specialists in all areas of brassica production, including insect, disease, nematode, weed and virus have combined to pool current knowledge on best practice IPM principles.

Rather than prescriptive rules for each problem, the information provides knowledge and general principles that you can use to plan for an integrated approach to crop production.

This guide has been produced in conjunction with participating greenhouse growers to provide a practical guide to help you to economically and effectively introduce preventative and integrated control strategies to manage pests and diseases in your greenhouses.