Grain growers in Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania who detect weeds that have survived herbicide applications are encouraged to have those weeds tested in-season for herbicide resistance.

Research scientist Peter Boutsalis says screening of weeds during the winter crop growing season to determine their resistance status provides growers with valuable information on the effectiveness of herbicides on target weeds, potentially preventing the costly use of ineffective herbicides and reducing the spread of herbicide resistance.

A ‘Quick Test’ – the only in-season test of its kind in which plants (grasses and some broadleaf weeds) are tested for herbicide resistance (or susceptibility) – can assist growers in understanding the extent of resistance on their properties.

“The Quick Test works on plants from seedlings to advanced tillering, as long as the plants are green and healthy,” says Dr Boutsalis, who conducts research into herbicide resistance as part of a Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) investment.

“The test usually takes about four weeks to complete, provided the weeds received are in good condition.”

Dr Boutsalis, of the University of Adelaide and Plant Science Consulting, says it is important to provide accurate details about the location from which weeds were collected for sampling during registration for the test.

“Growers should collect 50 to 100 plants per paddock, aiming to collect 20 plants per herbicide test – fewer plants are needed if they are tillering.

“After carefully pulling out plants, soil should be shaken from the roots and it is also critical that growers do not wash or wet plants. They should be placed in a small plastic sandwich bag or wrapped in cling wrap.”

Information about the Quick Test service, including a video on how to prepare and send samples for testing, is available on the Plant Science Consulting website

Herbicide resistance is a priority issue for southern region grain growers, as identified by the GRDC Southern Region Panel and the GRDC Southern Regional Cropping Solutions Network (RCSN).

More information: Peter Boutsalis, Plant Science Consulting, 0400 664 460, GRDC’s Integrated Weed Management hub and WeedSmart resource centre