Title: Glyphosate resistant barnyard grass in WA's top end
[Australian Herbicide Resistance Initiative 19 July 2011] -- Western Australia’s first glyphosate-resistant awnless barnyard grass Echinochloa colona L. has been discovered in the state’s top end, prompting growers to consider using a range of weed control options. Agronomist Andrew Cripps from the Ord River District Co-operative Ltd (ORDCO) identified suspect populations and contacted the Australian Herbicide Resistance Initiative (AHRI) for assistance in confirming resistance. AHRI Research associate Dr Todd Gaines visited Kununurra to collect samples and has shown that several populations of awnless barnyard grass (Echinochloa colona) are glyphosate-resistant. “We confirmed populations from two paddocks that are 8-fold more resistant than susceptible populations collected in the region. The good news is that these populations are controlled by Group A and B herbicides, as well as paraquat and glufosinate,.” Dr Gaines said.
Agronomist Andrew Cripps who has been working in the Ord River region for several years explains “The Ord River region is home to diverse cropping systems in a tropical environment, with horticulture, tree and grain crops being the major crops grown. Glyphosate is relied upon heavily for weed control in this area and growers need to start implementing a range of weed control tactics in order to sustain the life of glyphosate in the Ord.”
AHRI Director Professor Stephen Powles noted that AHRI is investigating the resistance mechanism in these populations, as well as providing recommendations to Ord River region farmers about how to manage and minimize the evolution of glyphosate resistance in barnyard grass
“There are several glyphosate-resistant barnyard grass populations in Queensland and New South Wales. It’s important for all industries using glyphosate for weed control to understand and recognise that glyphosate resistance can and will evolve. To combat resistance, diversity in weed control tactics is essential..” Professor Powles said.
