Barley Grass

Project Funders: Grains Research & Development Cooperation (GRDC),  University of Adelaide

Project Lead Organisation/Researcher:  University of Adelaide, Dr. Gurjeet Gill

Project Duration: 2019-2022

Project Locations: North Condobolin

Aim

The project aims to develop an Integrated Weed Management (IWM) strategy in response to the increased infestation of barley grass due to autumn seed dormancy, early sowing and increased herbicide resistance in low rainfall zones.

Description and background

Over the last few years there have been increases in barley grass infestations in cereal crops in southern Australia. It has been getting hard to pin-point the reasons, but there are several possibilities. They could be linked to the practice of early sowing and improved seed dormancy.

Also, barley grass possesses several biological traits that make it difficult for growers to manage in the low rainfall zone. Barley grass management may also be a little more challenging in the low rainfall zone because the growing seasons tend to be more variable in terms of rainfall, which can affect the performance of the pre-emergence herbicides. Furthermore, many growers in these areas tend to have a lower threshold for expenditure on management tactics.

This project will present demonstration research to identify tactics for barley grass management in the low rainfall southern and western region.

The focus will be on achieving practice change among local growers by working closely with 9 farming systems groups in low rainfall areas of southern and western regions. The project will select 4 management strategies for investigation in large scale replicated demonstration trials to be undertaken by participating farming systems groups.

Reports & Media Releases

Partnership

This project is a partnership between GRDC, The University of Adelaide and Central West Farming Systems (CWFS).