MATURE fleabane will go under the industry microscope at the Birchip Cropping Group early next year.
The peak research group will stage a trial review day on Friday, February 21, at the Birchip Community Leisure Centre.
When BCG research agronomist Angus Butterfield will detail why the key to controlling mature flaxleaf fleabane (Conyza spp.) is in the first pass of a double-knock strategy.
Mr Butterfield undertook two trials researching the stubborn weed near Birchip last summer, focusing on double-knock control.
The first trial tested the effectiveness of different first pass options and the second trial looked at second pass treatments.
And growers might find the results surprising.
“What we found,” Mr Butterfield explained, “is first spray applications are critical for effective control of mature flaxleaf fleabane and premium herbicide products often deliver better results in the first spray”.
The wind-borne surface germinating weed has become prolific since the adoption of no till farming systems.
Each plant can produce as many as 110,000 seeds (Wu 2012) and its waxy surface gives it a natural tolerance to glyphosate (Daniel 2015).
“What makes it particularly tricky to control is fleabane often comes up in spring under crops and therefore options for its control while it is still small and easier to kill are limited,” Mr Butterfield said.
“Our trial work highlights the addition of Dropzone to a standard summer spray significantly improves control of flaxleaf fleabane, while common mixes such as 2,4-D ester and triclopyr offer no additional control over a standard glyphosate mix,” he said.
Another interesting finding of the trials was glyphosate and Terrad’or may not be needed to control flaxleaf fleabane and excluding these products could significantly reduce costs.
BCG will release its latest research results to BCG members on February 21.
To book your place and receive the 2024 BCG season research results compendium, go to bcg.org.au or call (03) 5492 2787.
