i the NEWSLETTER ofThe Weed Society of New South WalesInc

ISSN 1325-3689

#11OCTOBER 1997

NSW WeedStrategyLaunched

The NSW Weeds Strategy waslaunched on 20 August 1997 bythe Minister for Agriculture,

Richard Amery, at Agquip, Gunnedah,with the aim of delivering a sustainablereduction in the negative impact ofweeds on the economy, community,industries and environment of NewSouth Wales. This article providesexcerpts on the overall thrust of theStrategy. ~

FEATURE ARTICLE

WEED SOCIETYEXECUTIVE

Dan Austin(President)

Robert Plumbe(Vice President)

I~on Smith(Secretary)

Alex McLennan(Treasurer)

Brian Sindel(Newsletter Editor)

Mike BarrettGary BeehagMike BoultonLouise BrodieJohn’Cameron

Jim DellowRichard GrahamLawrie GreenupGraham Harding

Mike HoodJane Mallen-Cooper

Peter MichaelAllan MurphyVal StubbsJim Swain

Gordon TinkJohn Toth

Bob TrounceBirgitte Verbeek

Editor. Brian SindelDivision of Agronomy andSoil Science, University ofNew England, Armidale

2351Ph: (02) 6773 3747Fax: (02) 6773 3238

Email:bsindel @metz.une.edu.au

Secretary: Leon Smith8 Darwin Drive,Lapstone 2773

Ph/fax: (047) 393 564

A Gnarl Weed is publishedfour times per year by the

Weed Society of NewSouth Wales, PO Box 438

Wahroonga 2076.

Printed by the Universityof New England

Packaged by the ChallengeFoundation in recycled

plastic

... NSW WeedStrategyLaunchedHere are excerpts from the recently releabedNew South Wales Weed Strategy. ~

The $600 Million Burden

Weeds are a huge environmental andeconomic burden on New South Walescosting $600 million per annum in controland lost production alone.

Most areas of the state have beeninvaded by a diversity of weed speciesaffecting the environment, productivityand aesthetics of the infested area.

Setting Priorities

Any contr91 .strategy for weeds mustdepend on lard-use objectives. In naturalecosystems, the weed~strategy’s prioritiesrelate to reducing adverse impacts on theaesthetic and recreational value of publiclands. In agricultural areas priority isgiven tol controlling species which havesignificant economic impact. Theresources available for controlling weedsneed to be used effectively - focussing onprograms that provide the greatestcommunity benefit.

When considering serious weedswhich are not present in New SouthWales, the objective is to continue theirexdnsion. With weeds already present,the objective is to reduce their negativeeffect, either by reducing their distributionand/or by developingstrategies tominimise their impact.

Sustainable Reduction

This strategy paper defines the majorobjectives and activities required toachieve a sustainable reduction of weedsin New South Wales. It does this byexplaining ways stakeholders can improvethe effectiveness and coordination of thefight against weeds. The strategy is linkedto: the National Weed Strategy; weedsstrategies in other states; and weed controland other environmental plans by localgovernment, government and private

landholders. This paper concentrates onthe generic issues, rather than presentingaction plans for specific weeds. Moredetail, including linkages to otherstrategies and action plans for individualweeds, is provided on NSW Agriculture’swebsite homepage at:http://www.agric.nsw.gov.au.

The New South Wales WeedsStrategy will be updated periodically.These updates will include local controlauthority programs and planningprocesses for major weeds. Otherorganisations will be invited to contributeinformation on their weed controlactivities.

Improvements

The New South Wales Weed Strategy wasdeveloped by the Noxious WeedsAdvisory Committee, followingworkshops and submissions received froma number of sources. This processidentified a number of improvements thatcould be made. The most important ofthese included:

an injection of funds and resources,improved training for personnelinvolved in weed control programs,increasing the priority given to weedcontrol by some agencies,increasing the emphasis accorded toenvironmental weeds,improving community understandingof weed problems and relevantlegislation,better coordination of controlprograms, andincreasing consistent implementation ofnoxious weeds legislations.

Declaration of weeds as "noxious" ensuresthat all affected landholders participate inweed control programs, but this is onlyappropriate where there is a dear publicbenefit derived from the costs incurred byprivate landholders and the community.

Increasing Funds

The issue of funding and resources hasbeen addressed th/, ough:

o an increase in the noxious weeds grant,

page2 AGoodWeed #11 OCTOBER 1997

FEATURE ARTICLE

recommendations to develop incentivesfor weed control,proposals to improve resource-sharingbetween public agencies, andmore formal monitoring of outcomesfrom weed control programs to ensurethat public funds are used efficiently.

The community now recognises theenormity of the problems caused byenvironmental weeds and the strategyendorses the need for significant additionalresources to address this issue.

Dedicated Authorities

A key outcome of the strategy is to improvecommunity education and to implementcompetency-based training programs forparticular types of work. The strategysupports the current structure for thedelivery and enforcement of noxious weedcontrol programs by local government, withNSW Agriculture as the lead agency,assisted by a broad-based Noxious WeedsAdvisory Committee. .~ ~.,

To improve the effectiveness andcoordination of noxious weed

control programs, single-pu~oseweed control authorities will be

promoted and incentives providedfor their formation.

To improve the effectiveness andCoordination of noxious weed controlprograms, single-purpose weed controlauthorities will be promoted and incentivesprovided for their ~ormation. The strategyattempts to find a balance between the vitalinvolvement of communities in deciding onlocal priorities with the need for statewideplanning and coordination of programs tocontrol weeds of major significance.Community input at all levels of p!anningand delivery of weed control programs willbe promoted and coordinated betweenprograms and improved throughstrengthening of the weeds regionaladvisory committee network.

The Minister for Agriculture, Mr RichardAmery, went on to say that to assist withimplementation of the strategy and controlof noxious weeds in NSW, the NSWGovernment has already increased thenoxious weeds grant from $5 million to $6million per year.

He also stated that NSWAgriculture has in~plemented several newinitiatives as a ConSequence of the strategy.

An additional inox~.ous plants advisoryofficer was appointed at Windsor tosupport metropolitan councils andcommunity groups.A Weeds Research and DemonstrationUnit was established at Wagga Wagga topromote integrated weed managementin southern NSW and to complement the

¯ existing units at Orange and Tamworth.The Noxious Weeds Act is being revised,in light of comments received duringdevelopment of the strategy, and will be.considered by Parliament in 1998.Procedures to identify and control newincursions of weeds have beenimplemented, with assistance from theRoyal Botanic Gardens.A procedure for more formal auditingand bendxmarking Of outcomes fromlocal control authority weed controlprograms is being evaluated.The process for declaration of weeds hasbeen revised - to provide an opportunityfor community input, better regionalcoordination and a requirement forquantifiable measures of outcomes.Action has been taken to strengthen theregional coordination of weed controlprograms, by giving responsibilities toexistifig regional advisory committees.

NSW Agriculture and other agencies will bereleasing more specific plans and guidel~inesthat relate to actions identified in thisdocument.

While the specific aims andrecommendations of the Strategy are toolengthy to reprint here, they are containedin the Strategy document which you canobtain by contacting the:

Secretary, Noxious WeedsAdvisory Committee, Locked Bag 21,ORANGE NSW 2800 Telephone: (02)6391 3638 Fax: (02) 6391 3740 [] ,

AGoodWeed #11 OCTOBER 1997 page3

FEATURE ARTICLE

Growth of Weeds underElevated At osphericCarbon DioxideConcert~rationsBy Claudia Tipping and David Murray

Introduction

A t present the global average/,~ alznospheric carbon dioxide (COa)

"d= .~concentration is 360 parts permillion (ppm) and the rate of increase ishbout 2 ppm per .annum. If anthropogenicCO2 producti.’on from fossil fuel combustionand forest destruction continues to increaseexponentially, this c:0ncentration could’double’ from the 195g value of 315 ppmbefore the end of the:21st Century. Someplants can ut~se the extra carbon supply toincrease biomass production and improvewater-use efficiency. Annual crop speciessuch as wheat, rice, soybean and maize caneasily improve grain yields by about 50°/owith ’double’ COr

Some plants can utitise the extracarbon supply to increase biomassproduc~.ion and improve water-use

efficiency.

"fheae important food sources havereceived most of the publicity, generallyfrom those favouring a ’taissez faire’approach to CO.~ emissions. Indeed, one ofthe myths tb.at has grown up since the EarthSummit in ~992 is that cul~vated specieswilt umversaRy benefit from the everescalating a~m.ospheric carbon supply,whereas wktd species may be unable to doso. A similar presumption is that ’C3"plants can respond with extra growth,whereas "C4° plants cannot. Both of thesegeneratisations are incorrect. Within anyparticular grouping of plants, it is genotype

that governs the ability to respond toelevated atmospheric COr The purpose ofthis article is to point out how a variety ofweeds might be advantaged by growingunder elevated CO2 concentrations.

The Grass Family (Poaceae)

Some plants belonging to this large familyare always weeds, but grasses that arepasture plants can also be weeds underother circumstances. A classic example ispaspalum (Paspalum dilatatura). Severaltropical species of Panicura are similarlyambiguous. Torpedo grass (P. repens) andblue panic (P. antidotale) are wideIyacknowledged as weeds (Parsons andCuthbertson, 1992; Lazarides et al., 1997).Guinea grass (P. maximum)or green panic( P. maximurn var. trichoglume) maysometimes be weeds, but they can also beused to rehabilitate areas recovering fromlantana infestation (p.631 of Parsons andCuthbertson, 1992). It is worthwhile notingthat eleven species of Panicum are currentlyrefused -entry into Australia by theAustralian Quarantine Inspection Service.

Recent studies of P. antidotate andtwo other potentially useful forage species,P. decipiens artd P. tricanthum, have shownthat above-ground biomass can increase bya factor of two as a result of growth with900 ppm CO., compared to growth withambient CO= (Tipping, 1996). A massiveincrease in starch content of the leaves (to>30% by weight) is part of this response.

An intermittent water supply (thenorm in the absence of irrigation) is the keyto improved productivity gains for ’C4’species like P., antidotale. A luxury(continuous) water supply substantiallyreduces their ability to make significantextra carbon gains under elevated COr

page4 ,4~4’e.ed #11 OCTOBER 1997

FEATURE ARTICLE

This was first shown for a variety of C4weeds by David T. Patterson and colleaguesin the USA in the 1980s. These includedbarnyard grass (Echinochloa crus-gallO, gooseor crowsfoot grass (Eleusine indica),southern crabgrass (Digitaria eiliaris), pigeongrass (Setaria faberi), Johnsongrass (Sorghumhalepense) and itchgrass (Rottboellia exaltata).All are likely to grow better than their cropcompetitors under conditions of waterlimitation and CO2 enrichment.

In contrast to Eehinochloa crus-galli,E. glabrescens, a weed of rice cultivation,does not show any marked improvement incarbon gain under elevated CO2 at 27’/21°C(day/night temperatures). However, at thehigher growth temperature range of37°/29°C, the competitive ability of thisweed is improved and that of ricedeteriorates.

Rosette Weeds

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), PIantagomajor and Rumex crispus (curled dock) allshow improved growth under elevated COxand increased root/shoot ratios.

The strength of their tap-rootsystems and their capacity to regenerateafter grazing or_mowing are both enhanced.Another dock, Rumex obtusifolius, has beenstudied in relation to possible bi61ogicalcontrol by the leg-eating larvae of thebeetle Gastrophysa viridula. However, the’grazing pressure’ of the beetle is readilyaccommodated by a faster growth rateunder elevated CO~.

Woody Legumes

Prosopis glandulosa and other mesquites areweeds in many parts of the world. Theyrespond well to elevated COv Sicklepod(Cassia obtusifoIia) and showy rattlepod(Crotalaria spectabilis) ake weeds of soybeancrops in the USA. Both show gains of 60-70% with elevated CO2 and are extremelypersistent, even under conditions ofnutrient limitation.

A study of Noogoora burr(Xanthium occidentale) in Australia hasfound a moderate growth increase underelevated CO~ accompanied by improvednitrogen-use efficiency of the leaves. Thisresponse could further advantage this weedin areas of marginal soil fertility.

Studies of the horticultural speciesOpuntia ficus-indica indicate growth

enhancement of up to 70% with 700 ppmCO2. There is no reason to suppose thatweed species of prickly pear (Opuntia spp.)cannot respond in the same way.

Woody Vines

The introduced Japanese honeysuckle(Lonicera japon(ca) has been compared withan indigenous species in the USA, L.sempervirens. With elevated CO~, theJapanese species branched earlier,producing a muckf greater leaf area. Theseresponses reinforce its already superiorability to overtop and shade competing andsupporting vegetation. Similar responsesare displayed by Pueraria Iobata (kudzu),another major weedy vine in parts of theUSA.

... extra advantages will be gainedby many important weed speciesover competing crop plants ordesirable indigenous vegetation

~:nder future elevated atmosphericCO2 concentrations.

Water Weeds

Water hyacinth .(Eichhornia crassipes) andseveral ’duckweeds’ (Lemna and Spirodelaspp.) respond in contrasting ways togrowing with elevated CO2. Waterhyacinth undergoes "acclimation’ -increased leaf area is balanced by lowerphotosynthetic rates and chlorophyllconcentration, and there is, fortunately, nomajor increase in productivity.

Duckweeds show significantdegrees of enhancement of photosyntheticrate and growth with elevated COr

Conclusion

Studies to date indicate that extraadvantages will be gained by manyimportant weed species over competingcrop plants or desirable indigenousvegetation under future elevatedatmospheric CO~ concentrations. Althoughthis cannot be said for all weeds, research isnecessary to identify those that will beadvantaged. Research is also needed toclarify the effects of plant growth unde£

AG~dWeed #11 OCTOBER 1997 page 5

W-EED WATCH

elevated CO2 on species of leaf-eatinginsects used for biological control.

References

Lazarides, M., Cowley, K. and Hohnen, P.1997, CSIRO Handbook ofAustralian Weeds. CSIRQAustralia.

~

Murray, D.K 1997, Carbon Dioxide andPlant Responses. Research Studie...sPress, Taunton, U.K.

Tipping, C. 1996, Morphological andStructural Investigations into C3,C4 and C3/C4 Members of theGenus Panicum Grown underElevated CO2 Concentrations. Ph.D.Thesis, UWS-Hawkesbury,Richmond NSW.

Parsons, W.T. and Cuthbertson, E.G. 1992,Noxious Weeds of Australia. InkataPress, Melbourne and Sydney.

(Dr Claudia Tipping and. D~ David Murray areat the School.-of Horticulture, University ofWestern Sydney, Hawkesbury Campus, LockedBag No. 1, Richmond NSW. 2753. This article isbased on information presented or reviezoed inClaudia’s Ph.D. thesis;or in David’s recentbook, which is distributed by John Wiley). v1

Parthenium: theSituation in NSWBy Phillip Blackmore

The focus of the fight against Partheniumweed (Parthenium hysterophorus) in NSWhas been on quarantine and the eliminationof reported outbreaks. The first outbreak ofthe weed in NSW was reported in 1982.This was followed by a very large outbreakin 1983. A 1000 hectare area was infestedand there was a very dense stand of theweed around a machinery shed (3 ha insize). Most of the "on farm’ outbreaks (39)have occurred in the Moree Plains Shire andthe majority of these were caused bycontaminated harvesting machinery (27).However, isolated sightings of the weedalong roads are far more common. Theseaccount for 88.9% of all infestations andabout half of these are along the NewellHighway, the stretch of road north of

Narrabri being the most notorious foroutbreaks.

In 1994, a large infestation wasfound at Cropper Creek in northern NSW,after a large advertising campaign whichoccurred after another outbreak was found.The number of outbreaks in NSW each yearhas decreased substantially over the last 5years as methods of detection andmachinery hygiene have improved.However, the grain harvest in Queenslandhas been relatively low during these yearsand it remains to be seen if the trend can bemaintained during a good season.

At the moment, the weed is beingdefeated in NSW, with all but a

couple of the outbreaks beingcompletely eliminated.

There has been plenty of publicityabout the. weed, both in the media andthrough field days, etc. A couple oftelevision commercials have been producedand .shown and various pamphlets on theweed and machinery hygiene have beenproduced and distributed. At the moment,the weed is being defeated in NSW, with allbut a couple of the outbreaks beingcompletely eliminated. However, there isconcern that this will no longer be the caseif the weed does become endemic insouthern Queensland.

(Reprinted from notes from a meeting of theParthenium Study Group (based at theUniversity of Queensland) on 14 August,1997.) UI

Rust for IntermediateLeaf Form of SkeletonWeedSkeleton weed, Chondrilla juncea, is acompetitive weed in cereal crops causingsignificant yield reductions. The wiry stemsalso cause problems for harvestingmachinery. In. the early 1970s CSIROreleased a rust, Puccinia chondrillina, for thecontrol of the most. widespread form ofskeleton weed in Australia. Initially, the

page 6 ,4 ~7¢e-~ #11 OCTOBER 1997

WEED WATCH

rust proved to be a spectacular success,producing an estimated annual saving tofarmers of $18 million in 1975.

However, it was soon realised thatbecause the rust strain only attacked oneform of the weed (the narrow-leaf form),the two other forms (broad andintermediate leafed) which were notattacked, were gradually replacing thecontrolled narrow-leaf form.

After extensive Work in Europeand, particularly, in western Turkey wherethere is the largest variety of rust strains, anew strand of rust was found which attacksthe intermediate-leaf form of the weed.Trials to evaluate the new strain (known asTU788) have been set up at Piangil on theVictoria-New South Wales border and atHarden in southern NSW.

The initial results at Piangil arepromising and further releases are plannedfor this coming autumn. To this end,CSIRO Division of EntomoIogy wouId bepleased to hear from interested farmerswho are keen on hosting a rust trial on theirproperties. For further information contactPaul Jupp, CSIRO Entomology, PO Box1700, Canberra, ACT, 2601, ph (06) 2464250, Fax (06) 246 177..

(Reprinted from Under Control, Pest Plant andAnimal Management News, Keith TurnbullResearch Institute for. IntegratedPestManagement, No. 1, February 1997.)

BiocontrolImplications ofGenetic Variation inBlackberry and RustThe genetic variation of the Europeanblackberry (Rubus fruticosus L. aggregate)and blackberry rust fungus (Phragmidiumviolaceum) in Australia is currently beinginvestigated by Dr Kathy Evans of the CRCfor Weed Management Systems andDepartment of Crop Protection at theUniversity of Adelaide.

Rubus fruticosus in Australiacomprises a number of closely relatedspecies and hybrids. In Victoria, ninedifferent taxa and some hybrids have beenidentified. They differ in such features as

stem shape, type and shape or armature(prickles and stalked glands), hairiness ofleaves and stems, and shape of leaflets andflowers. As a consequence of suchvariation, the susceptibility of the differentblackberries to herbicide uptake and attackby the rust fungus also varies.

As a Conse, quence of suchvariation, the susceptibility of thedifferent blackberries to herbicide

uptake and ’attack by the rustfungus also varies.

The blackberry rust does not affectall blackberry species to the same degreeand, in fact, there appears to be at leastthree species that are resistant to it. Theseresistant species conld~gradually take overfrom the susc.eptible blackberry if leftuncontrolled. Understanding andrecognising the different Rubus genotypes is

therefore important in investigating andimplementing effective control strategies.

To complicate matters further, theg~etic composition of the currentblackberry rust population in Australia isunknown; One strain of the rust, F15,which is highly damaging to the mainblackberry species R. discoIour, was releasedin the early 1990s. An unknown strain, orpossibly a mixtfire of strains, was alsoillegally released in the 1980s but this"illegal" strain has been found to be lessdamaging to R. discolour than F15.

The objectives of Kathy’s researchare to investigate (a) the taxonomy anddistribution of genetic variation of Rubusfruticosus in Australia, and (b) thecorrelation between Rubus genotypes andtheir susceptibility to various P. vioIaceumstrains. Virulent rust strains could then beinvestigated and possibly introducedtoattack biotypes resistant to the presentstrains.

(Reprinted from Under Control, Pest Plant andAnimal Management News, Keith TurnbullResearch Institute for Integrated PestManagement, No. 2, May 199Z)

,,4~Wea¢ #11 OCTOBER 1997 page7

FEATURE ARTICLE

What is IntegratedWeed Management?By Brian Sindel

Integrated Weed Management (IWM) is anoften quoted term these days. But whatdoes it mean? IWM can be defined simpl~as ’a sustainable management system th~itcombines all appropriate weed controloptions’. It does not rely solely dnherbicides for weed control, nor for thatmatter on cultivation or biological control.It attempts to avoid the problems ofherbicide-resistant weeds andcontamination by herbicide residues bycombining (or ’integrating’) a suite of weedcontrol measures each of which placesdifferent constraints on weed growth,reproduction and spread.

The development of the termfollows that of "Ip. tegrated PestManagement’ 0PM) which has been used todescribe management systems for insectpests of crops arid pastures which do notrely solely on chemicals:.!but which placemore emphasis on biological control agentssuch as beneficial predatory insects.

The~ concept of ’integrated pestcontrol" was first articulated byentomologists in the mid t950s as anapproach that applied ecological principlesin utilising biological and chemical controlmethods against insect pests. It wassubsequently broadened to include allcontrol methods and adapted to the idea of"managing" .insect pest populations below aneconomic threshold level rather than’controlling’ pests per se. The concept ofpest management was then broadened toinclude all classes of pests (includingpathogens, insects, nematodes and weeds)and in this context is commonly referred toas IPM.

Some crop protection specialistsregard the concept as representing onlynew jargon applied to long-established cropprotection practices. Those who argueotherwise do so on the basis that IPMdepends on an understanding of thepopulation dynamics of current andpotential pests, of the ecology andeconomics of the cropping systems, and ofpossible harmfnl effects to the environment.

1WM can be considered a subset ofIPM that employs combinations of physical,

ecological, biological, chemical and geneticmethods to obtain effective and economicalweed control with minimum effect on non-target species or the environment. It aimsto spread the risk of control failure andincrease the probability of overall success.The history of weed management showsthat it is not altogether a new �oncepf, butthat it does need to be re-applied to farmingsystems in Australia and elsewhere if theyare to remain productive.

IWM implies, notionally, thatcomponent weed control methods will bemutually supportive or perhaps evensynergistic, whereas in reality it is possiblefor some control methods when combinedto have conflicting effects. Research isneeded to identify techniques which arecomplementary for specific farming systemsand for target weed species and to combinethese into effective weed managementstrategies. This is one of the main goals ofthe CRC for Weed Management Systems(see the following article by NigelAinsworth).

(Adapted from Sindel, B.M. (1995) Integratedweed management - a strategy for reducingherbicide use. In Herbicide-Resistant Crops andPastures in Australian Farming Systems (edsG.D. McLean and G.Evans). Proceedings of aGRDC, CRDC, British Council, RIRDC, andBRS Workshop, Canberra, 15-16 March 1995,pp. 207-22Z Bureau of Resource Sciences,Canberra.)

Integration of.Herbicide use andBiocontrol ofHorehoundBy Nigel A.insworth

The horehound plume moth, imported fromFrance and Spain, has been released as abiological control agent for horehound inVictoria and South Australia. Moth larvaefeed in and kill shoot tips, thus reducingplant size and seed set. Around 50% ofshoots are affected gt the best sites. Work isin progress to measure total plume mothimpact on the weed..~

page 8 AGoodWeed #11 OCTOBER 1997

FEATURE ARTICLE

Horehound plants are not long-lived, so if seed production can be reduceddrastically, the weed population maydecline. It might seem unwise to applyherbicides where a promising biocontrol isestablished, since killing the host plantcould cause the moth population to crash.Few or no moths would then be aroundwhen new horehound seedlings appearedand horehound problems Would continue.

Nevertheless, it is possible that thecorrect strategy for integrating herbicideuse with biological control could producebetter results in the long term than eithermethod alone. Herbicide application might,for instance, help to reduce largeinfestations more quickly than biologicalcontrol acting on its own, or could be usedwhen weather conditions have been poorfor biocontrol. Research on these questions,described below, is the first part of a. CRCfor Weed Management Systems program tointegrate herbicides with biological controlof a range of environmental weeds.

In a series of experiments, a lowerthan normal rate of 2,4-D has been appliedto horehound in pots. This-stunts theirgrowth and prevents formation of s6eds,although it does not kill the plants. Bedausethe plants survive, larvae within them maybe allowed to complete their developmentso the moth population may not b~ toomuch reduced. This is currently beingtested.

In afield situation, the preferencefor unsprayed plants wouldideally result in moths layingmore eggs on plants that havebeen missed by spraying, or on

plants in areas that are toodifficult to spray.

Moths strongly prefer unsprayedplants to treated ones for egg-laying, butwill lay some eggs on the surviving shootsof sprayed plants. So far, larvaldevelopment appears normal from eggslaid on sprayed plants. Treated plants canthus maintain moths on the site withoutcontributing to future problems byproducing seed. In a field situation, thepreference for unsprayed plants wouldideally result in moths laying more eggs on

plants that have been missed by spraying,or on plants in areas that are too difficult tospray. Thus, their effect would beconcentrated where it is needed. Sincemoths do continue to lay some eggs onrecovering plants, the larvae mightsubstantially reduce regrowth later intheseason and the last generation of the yearcould overwinter ~h sprayed plants, readyto resume feeding the following spring.

Whether "anything so successfulreally happens will be tested by fieldexperiments starting in spring. Ultimately,it may be possible to recommend herbicideapplication rates and appropriate timingwhich will complement the effects ofhorehound bioeontrol agents.

(Reprinted from Under Control, Pest Plant andAnimal Management News, Keith TurnbulIResearch Institute for Integrated PestManagement, No. 2, May 199Z)

Hardy Marsh PlantsGobble up WeedkillerIn an article printed in New Scientist on 22March this year (p24) , the writer, AndyCoghian, reports on work showing thatyellow irises and bulrushes could be comepotent weapons in the battle to avoidpolluting watercourses with pesticides andherbicides.

Two researchers at the ScottishAgricultural College in Edinburgh, RobMcKinlay and Charlie Kasperek, h~iveproposed that when someone needs todispose of herbicides and other pesticidesthat marsh plants grown in special lagoonson farms could possibly do the job withoutcontaminating water or harming wildlife.

Plants that draw heavy metals outof soilare already known, but according toCoghlan, McKinlay and Kasperek’s plantsare the first to actually degrade pesticidesand herbicides.

In initial trials with atrazine,McKinlay and Kasperek grew four marshplant species in water contaminated witharound 6 parts per million of the herbicide.Common reeds (Phragmites australis)struggled to survive but the other threespecies thrived. The best performer wasyellow iris (Iris pseudocorus), followedclosely by the bulrush (Typha Iat~folia) and

AGoodWeed #11 OCTOBER 1997 page 9

LOCAL NEWS

common dubrush (Schoenoplectus lacustris).Their more recent work is said to show thatmicrobes in the plants’ root systems domost, if not all, of the work ofdecontamination, so that when treated withdisinfectants to deprive them of theirmicrobes, the plants failed to clean up thewater.

The researchers have shown ~that;root microorganisms evolve quickly t6degrade each contaminant. The first time~it took 50 days to destroy the herbicide.After three successive exposures, thhcleanup time had fallen to a week.

The conclusion drawn in this articleby Coghlan was that farmers may be able todig a shallow lagoon, line it with plastic toprevent leaks and plant it with the marshplants where farm chemicals could then bedetoxified.

Weed Society of NewSouth Wales Inc. -Annual Repo~ 1997By Leon Smith (Secretary)

The highlight of the year was the formationof the Riverine Branch of the Society atWagga Wagga in May. Over 40 people (30apologies) attended the inaugural meetingand office-bearers were elected, includingRichard Graham as President. The Branchhas already conducted a very successfuIactivity, the Wagga Weeds Expo at theAgricultural Research Institute. JohnCameron and the people from WaggaWagga are to be congratulated for theirinitiative in setting Up this group.

As a result of the formation of theBranch and other promotions, a recordnumber of new members joined the Societyin 1997. Eighty-eight new members wereadmitted during the past year. Anothermajor event of the year was the one day.seminar on "Management of Weeds in theUrban Jungle" held at Taronga Park Zoo onJune 10. Over 50 people attended,including Several non-members of theSociety. Jack Craw from New Zealand gavea very interesting talk onawareness/extension activities with urbanweeds in that country. Thanks to Dan

Austin for arranging this seminar and visitto Taronga Zoo.

An Aquatic Weeds ID Workshopand Field Trip "Weeds, Wet and Wild" washeld in October. This event was jointlysponsored with the Australian TurfResearch Institute and 24 people attended.Thanks to Mike Barrett, Peter Michael andGary Beehag for organising this activity.

During the year: a Travel StudyGrant .of $500 was awarded to GregMadafiglio from NSW Agriculture, Orange,to assist with travel to Great Britain topresent a paper at the Brighton Conference(Weeds); Weed Society prizes ($100 each)were awarded to students from theUniversity of New England, Charles SturtUniversity and Sydney University; andbook prizes (total value $250) wereawarded for the Weed IdentificationCompetition at the Biennial Noxious WeedsConference, Dubbo.

Dr. Jim Cullen, CSIRO Canberra,gave the after-dinner speech at the AnnualDinner on "Recent Developments inBiological Control of Weeds". CAWSSdelegates Leon Smith and John Cameronparticipated in three phone hook-upmeetings during the year.

The Newsletter "A Good Weed"continued its high standard and is the maininformation vehicle of the Society under thedistinguished editorship of Dr Brian Sindel.A list of members and their interests wasprepared by Mike Hood and will be-distributed shortly. The Society made asubmission to the draft NSW Weed S~rategydo~ and~ helped with pubgcity ~or thenational programme, on weeds,"Weedbuster Week", in October. TheSociety is in a sound financial positionthanks to Treasurer, Alec McLennan, butincreased bank charges and printing costsmay necessitate a future fee increase.

CRC for WeedManagement Systemsand Riverine ActivitiesBy Toni Nugent

What is the latest issue that has unitedFederal, State anti,Local Government, as

page:10 AGoodWeed #11 OCTOBER1997

LOCAL NEWS

well as those in the wider community?Would you believe the answer is WEEDS?

Weedbuster Week (12-19 October,1997) was a huge success! Muchenthusiasm and interest was shownamongst those in the Wagga district, with anumber of activities occurring throughoutthe week. "Woody the Weed" made anappearance at the Wagga Marketplace onWednesday, 15 October.

Woody and I visited the children atTarcutta Public School on the afternoon ofWednesday, 15 October. The childrenthought Woody was fantastic and werevery keen to participate in various activitiesorganised for the afternoon. I then returnedto the school on Thursday, 23 October, topresent prizes to the winners in the shortstory competition that was rtm during theweek.

The Riverine Branch of the WeedSociety, in conjunction with Charles SturtUniversity (CSU), NSW Agriculture (ARI)and the CRC for Weed ManagementSystems, held a Weeds Expo on Tuesday, 14October. Approximately 50 peopleattended the expo. The day commenced at9 am at the Equine Centre, CSU, whereparticipants boarded a bus for two fieldtrips visiting trial sites around the ARIfarm.

The bus trip gave people theopportunity to view various trial sites andto speak with those involved in the trialwork about forage legumes, cropcompetition, herbicide tolerance trial work,pastures and fumitory. A number of staticdisplays were set up at the Equine Centrefor people to look at throughout the day. AWeed Identification Competition and rafflewas also held on the day. A big thank youto all those people who helped to organisethe event.

A dinner was organised by theRiverine Branch of the Weed Society for 19November, 1997, at the Commercial Club inWagga. Other upcoming events include awalk in February on Willians Hill, Wagga,looking at weeds in an urban environment,an Information Day on weed control onsmall farms during June and a dinner in theAlbury area during April.

(Toni Nugent is the Publicity Officer for theRiverina Branch of the Society and anEducation Officer with the CRC for WeedManagement Systems.)

Members MatterWe welcome the following new members tothe Society and ask that if you have anynews or views which might be helpful ifprinted in A ~ Weed, then please sendthem to the Editor (address page 2). Allcontributions ~ and suggestions are mostwelcome. ~

M Bywater, MoofebankV Brunton, EastwoodR Coventry, Hawkesbury-NepeanCatchment Management Trust, WindsorA Gesell, Sterling Group Services,HuntingwoodJ Gregory, PymbleA Hobson, BombalaE Jack, GreenwichD Langfield, CowraL Rew, TamworthW. Shelton, Sterling Group Services,HuntingwoodA Shields, Globe Australia, MirandaR Sire, Sydney Water, RockdaleJ Singleton, ClarevilleA Umbers, Umbers Rural Services, Trundle

Though not a member of our Society, somemembers may be interested to know thatStephen Powles, the Director of the CRC forWeed Management Systems, will be takingup a new position next year as a Professorof the University of Western Australia. Hewill continue his research into herbicideresistance.

Newsletter goes far and wide

Associate Professor C. Xian Zhang from theInstitute of Plant Protection, Beijing, China,recently wrote regarding membership of theSociety saying that he found out about A~4 Weed from the Resistant PestManagement newsletter published byMichigan State University. We’re famous! ~

AGoodWeed #11 OCTOBER 1997 page 11

BOOKS

Other’Good Reads’Westem Weeds. A Guide tothe Weeds of WesternAustraliaBy BMJ Hussey, GJ Keighery, RD Cousens, JDodd and SG Lloyd. Western Weeds has256 pages and describes about 800 weeds,of which 600 have been illustrated in colour.It has a comprehensive index with bothcommon and scientific names of weeds anda plain English glossary of botanical termsis included.

Weeds are listed under four majorgroups - ferns, conifers~ .monocotyledonsand dicotyledons. Plants are organisedinto families with~." each group.

Western Weeds is a comprehensiveand very attractively presented guide toweeds from all types of land use and fromall parts of Western ~Australia. It ispublished by the Plant Protection Society ofWestem Afistralia, PO Box 190, VictoriaPark, WA 6100, and is available fromAgwest Seed Quality on (08) 9368 3721 (ph)or (08) 9474 2658 (fax). Cost $30.

The Biology of AustralianWeedsVolume 2 of this great series is due out inDecember 1997 and will include: Acacianilotica (pficldy acacia), Cytisus scopariusssp. scoparius (broom), Cabomba caroliniana(fanwort), Cassinia arcuata (sifton bush),Chrysanthemoides monilifera (boneseed, bitoubush), Cryptostegia grandiflora (rubber vine),Emex australis (doublegee), Lantana camara(lantana), Oxalis pes-caprae (soursob),Parthenium hysterophorus (partheniumweed), Phragmites austraIis (common reed),Raphanus raphanistrum (wild radish), Rubusfruticosus (blackberry), Seneciomadagascariensis (fireweed), Ulex europaeus(gorse or furze), Vulpia bromoides and V.myuros (squirrel tail and rat’s taft fescue).

The weeds viewed in Volume 1(314 pages) are: Alternanthera philoxeroides(alligator weed), Bromus diandrus and B.rigidus (ripgut and rigid brome), Carduus

nutans ssp. nutans (nodding thistle),Carthamus lanatus (saffron thistle), Chondrillajuncea (skeleton weed), Echium plantagineum(Paterson’s curse), Eichhornia crassipes(water hyacinth), Eremophila mitchellii(budda, sandalwood), Hydrilla verticilIata(hydrilla), Hypericum perforatum (St. John’swort), Mimosa pigra (mimosa), Nassellatrichotoma (serrated tussock), Reseda lutea(cutleaf mignonette), SaIvinia molesta(salvinia), Typha domingensis and T. orientalis(cumbungi) and Xanthium occidentale and X.spinosum (Noogoora burr and Bathurstburr).

The reviews were originallypublished in The Journal of the AustralianInstitute of Agricultural Science and PlantProtection Quarterly. They have beenthoroughiy updated by the original authorsor by other researchers working in the samearea.

Volume I is available for $59.50 +$10 postage from 1LG. and. F.J. Richardson,PO Box 42, Meredith, Victoria 3333; Tel/fax:03 5286 1533, Email:robfiona@iaccess.com.au. Payment byCheque, Visa, Mastercard or Bankcard. Ifyou would like to go on the mailing list forfurther information about Volume 2 contactBob or Fiona Richardson on 03 5286 1533.

The Pesticide ManualThis world compendium, published by theBritish Crop Protection Council, is anessential reference book for anyone with aprofessional interest in p~sticides. Now inits eleventh edition, The Pesticide Manualcontains 759 detailed main entries as well asabbreviated details covering 583superseded products. The book rims toover 1,500 pages.

Entries cover herbicides, fungicides,insecticides, acaricides, nematicides, plantgrowth regulators, herbicide safeners,repellents, pheromones, biological controlagents, rodenticides and animalectoparasites.

All 759 main entries include, asappropriate:

chemical structure, discipline and class;nomenclature, including common,IUPAC and Cl?,emical Abstracts names,CAS RN, EEC number and developmentcode; ~full physical chemistry details;

page 12 AGosdWeed #11 OCTOBER 1997

BOOKS

commercialisation information includingpatent, history and manufacturer;mode of action, biochemistry, uses,formulation type, mixtures and tradenames;mammalian toxicology profiles;ecotoxicity data covering birds, fish,bees, worms, algae, etc.; andenvironmental fate information foranimals, plants and thesoil/environment.

The Pesticide Manual is the ideal referencebook for anyone concemed with -thediscovery, development, sale, use orregulation of pesticides. The eleventhedition of The Pesticide Manual will bepublished in November 1997, ISBN 1901396 11 8.

A pre-publication offer is availablefor orders placed and paid for before 20November 1997 at £110. The price after thisdate is £135.

Please send your completed orderform to : BCPC Publications Sales, BearFarm, Binfield, Bracknell, Berks, RG42 5~QE,UK. Tel: +44(0) 1!8 934 2727; Fax: +44 (0)118 934 1998; Email:publications@BCPC.org.

Carbon Dioxide and PlantResponsesDavid R. Murray, University of WesternSydney (Hawkesbury)’, Australia

The fact that the concentration of carbondioxide in the atmosphere is continuing toincrease is a cause for deep concernworldwide. This book described how CO2has affected all life on earth since theearliest times and explores the responses ofplants, particularly food plants, to the ever-increasing levels of carbon dioxide in theair. It explains why the impact of elevatedCO2 on food production will not be thepanacea that some have predicted.Important features of the book include:

Comprehensive assembly of the effectsof carbon dioxide on plants of manykinds and clarification of some basicmisconceptions about plants and COrIdentifies three distinct adverse’greenhouse’ effects associated withrising CO2 levels which could make lifeon earth extremely difficult: warming

enhancement brought about by CO2itself; warming of vegetation byrestriction of transpiration, andnutritional erosion.Provides wide, up-to-date coverage ofscientific literature in the field.Proposes that, for ecologically-sustainable development, there is anurgent need t9 slow the present rate ofincrease ih 14vels of atmospheric COrWays of achieving this are considered.

The book wilI be of interest to allresearchers and postgraduate students ofplant physiology, agronomy, horticulture,ecophysiology, ecology and genetics.

RSP Series: Research Studies inBotany and Related Applied Fields, No. 14,Series Editor: Dr. P.S. Nutman, F.KS.Return your order to: Dominic Rooke-Allden, John Wiley & Sons Ltd, BaffinsLane, Chichester, West Sussex PO19 1UD,¯ .UK. Cost £52.

Plant Pathogens and PlantDiseasesEdited by J.F. Brown and H.j. Ogle

A completely rewritten update of the 1980textbook "A Course Manua! in PlantProtection" with an Australasian emphasis.The book is designed to give students andresearchers a background in the principlesof plant pathology and of managing plantdiseases. The agents of disease and theirmethods of infection, survival and dispersalare described, as well as the responses ofplants to infection.

Descriptions of the factors affectingthe development of disease epidemics andmethods for forecasting disease outbreaksand assessing the effects of disease on yieldlead into a discussion of the strategies usedto manage plant diseases. The final sectioncontains descriptions of diseases caused bythe various groups of pathogens. The textdraws on the expertise of teachers andresearchers from throughout Australia. Amust for Australian students of plantpathology and those interested in howdiseases affect plants.

The text is endorsed by theAustralasian Plant Pathology Society Inc.

ISBN - 1 86389 439 X Rockvale Publications,Published - October, 1997, 550 pp; over 140

AGoodWeed #11 OCTOBER 1997 page 13

DIARY NOTES

illustrations and photographs, 250 x 176mm softcover format, Price $49.00.

Send orders to: RockvalePublications, 639 Rockvale Road, ArmidaleNSW 2350, Australia, including payment bycheque, money order or bank draft inAustralian Dollars.

Upcoming EventsNassella Workshop26 February 1998The Nassella Workshop .is a joint effortbetween the Weed Science Society ofVictoria and the. St Albans Campus of theVictoria University (this ,is als0 the venue).The workshop, aims to u~date and increaseour knowledge of the distribution, impacts,identification, extension and managementof Nassella./Stipa species with serratedtussock being the major species discussed.Secondly, it aims to define future policydirections for management and research-.onthese weeds.. The third aim is to createawareness and understanding of the otherNassella/Stipa .species as they may becomeof economic and environmental importancein the near future.

Speakers from NSW includeRandall Jones and Malcolm Campbell fromNSW Agriculture, Orange and MarkGardener from the University of NewEngland, Armidale. Registration is $85.

For a full program and otherinformation please contact the WeedScience Society of Victoria Inc PO Box 987,Frankston, Vic 3199 (Ph/fax 03 9576 2949)or Ros Shepherd (Ph/fax 03 9783 6876).

Workshop on Precision WeedManagementMay 5 and 6 1998At Charles Stuff University, Wagga Wagga,NSW, Convenors: Professor Jim Pratley andDr Richard Medd

Workshop Aims:Worldwide, interest is growing in precisionagriculture technology. This workshop isbeing convened to assess the relevance ofprecision systems for weed managementand to identify the opportunities in theendeavour of improving weed managementpractices and systems. By assembling theexpertise it is intended to review thetechnology and assess its potential with theobjective of setting priorities to directresearch, advisory efforts and policy

making.

Expressions of Interest:The committee . invites prospectiveparticipantSworkshop byt°submittingregister theirto theintereStconvenorsin thisa

title and a 200-word (maximum)precis oftheir proposed subject contents.Contributors will be-encouraged to presentreviews, illustrated where beneficial by casestudies, of subjects embraced by thefollowing topics. Innovative researchreports will also be considered along withindustry views and a consideration ofpertinent policy issues relating to precisionweed management.

Expressions of interest should be with theconvenors by Friday, December 12, 1997.

Participants who are selected to attend theworkshop will receive detailed i~struction

. early in 1998 with regard to preparation ofmanuscripts.: .... It is infended thatmanuscripts will be published in PlantProtection Quarterly as edited proceedings in

the CRC for weed Management SystemsWorkshop Series. It isanticipated that tlie~ewill be a registration feeof around $100(excluding accommodation and transport)iThe workshop will address each of th~topics with a view to Compilingreco~mmeiidhtions to assist researchdirection, allocation of resources and toinfluence policy direction.

-For more details please contactProfessor~ Jim Prafley, Dean, Faculty ofScience & Agriculture, Charles SturtUniversity, WAGGA WAGGA NSW 2678,Phone: +61 (0) 26933 2864, Fax: +6i (0)26933 2868, email: jpratley@csu.edu.au, o_O~RDr Richard Medd, Orange AgriculturalInstitute, Forest Road, ORANGE. NSW2800, Phone: +61 (0) 263913800, Fax: +61 (0)63913899, email: ~meddr@agric.nsw.gov.au

page 14 A~,~cW~� #11 OCTOBER 1997

DIARY NOTES

Proposed Session Topics:

1. Detecting, mapping and spatialapplication (i.e. technological) capabilityThe ability to detect weeds, or to map theirdistribution (using a range of techniques)and to act on this information on paddock,farm or district scales is fundamental toprecision weed management. State of theart "sensing" and "responding" capabilitiesfor weeds in cropping, pastures, rangeland,aquatic and natural ecosystems are ofinterest. Where are we at and where are weheaded?

2. Economic feasibilityThe high capital .investment and the spatialvariability of weeds are two main issuesaffecting the economic feasibility ofprecision weed management. Wi~ it beaffordable and will the returns be sufficientto encourage wide scale adoption?

3. Policy considerationsAre there additional public benefits to begained from precision weed management,for example in respect of reducing landdegradation, drought-proofing properties,

improving water quality, or a long termreduction in herbicide usage? Is there a casefor the formulation of policies to encouragethe adoption of precision weedmanagement? If so, what policy options areavailable?

4, Ecology of weed., patchinessAn understanding/of factors influencing thedispersal and distribution of weeds is alsofundamental to precision weedmanagement, Whht models are appropriateand what information is required to predictweed distribution in order to makeprecision management more effective?

5. Variable herbicide dose ratePrecision agriculture is generallysynonymous with variable rate technology.Is variable herbicide dose rate the way togo? If so, what needs to be done toencourage the adoption of variable doserates? For example, how can differences inprbduct efficacy in response to"environmental influences and weed densitybe incorporated into precision weedmanagement?

AG~odWeed #11 OCTOBER 1997 page 15

the NEWSLETTER ofThe Weed Society of New South WalesPO Box 438WAHROONGA NSW 2076

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The Weed Society acknowledges the generous support of DowElanco°Aust Ltd, FrenchsForest~ and Eagle EnvironmentaI Se~ces; Lidcdmbe~ for their sponsorship of,4~ Wee~.