Be Selective In Spraying For Wild Oats

October 15, 1999 the Rural news

With a worrying increase in herbicide resistant wild oats, New South Wales grain growers are being warned to be selective when spray topping to tackle what is fast being recognised, in some parts of the State, as the "number one nuisance weed".

Only weeks away from the 1999-2000 harvest going into full swing, the full extent of wild oats contamination will be revealed when the crop is in the silo.

"Timing this year has been a crucial factor in successful spray topping, with constant monitoring of the crop and the development of the weeds also important," NSW Agriculture weeds agronomist, Andrew Storrie said.

Wild oats cost growers $100 million a year in chemical treatment, crop contamination and yield losses with herbicide resistance now limiting chemical control options.

Mr Storrie said farm advisers have reported a further six eases of potential herbicide resistance in wild oats in the past month all involving Group A herbicides

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