Developing strategies to mitigate and manage resistance to key herbicides in modern Australian cropping systems
Tender ID: 410147
Tender Details
Tender Description
Developing effective and economic weed management strategies to delay the onset of herbicide resistance is an important component of integrated weed mnagement. Whilst non-chemical tactics are an essential part of these strategies, herbicides can when prudently used, remain the crucial weed management tactic within a larger strategy. The 'mix and rotate' herbicide Mode of Action tactic is an important message to growers and advisers. However, the complex nature of herbicide resistance means that more nuanced strategies could be formulated. Strategies to do this need an understanding of the resistant weed but also need to be practical and relevant to the particular farming system. Understanding the nature of the resistance mechanism of the specific weed and the factors of its spread are essential in developing an effective resistance mitigation strategy. A 'one size fits all' solution will not apply to every weed, every resistance mechanism or farming system. Ground truthing herbicide resistance strategies will provide more confidence to growers that they are practical and relevant.
There are several areas that are a priority to develop better resistance management strategies including pre-emergent herbicides, non-selective herbicides and imidazolinone herbicide dominant rotations. Prolonging the efficacy of non-selective herbicides is essential due to their effectiveness and multiple uses. Imidazolinone herbicide use has become increasingly prolific in modern rotations in part, due to the amount of tolerant imidazolinone crop cultivars. The ability of imidazolinone herbicides to persist in soils means that this needs to be considered in addition to the risk of resistance when developing strategies. Other focus areas may arise if new and important cases of resistance develop. It is important to be able to quickly develop management options to help growers deal with the situation before it becomes a major problem.
To achieve the development of effective strategies and prolong the life of existing chemistry, considering the factors that contribute to herbicide resistance is vital. Strategies also need to be practical and relevant to the particular farming system. Whilst herbicides are central to herbicide resistance mitigation strategies, they need to be employed in an appropriate intergrated weed management and farming systems context.
Investment Description
The understanding of herbicide resistant weeds either from a geographical or mechanistic physiological level is only part of the solution to actually mitigate and manage the weeds in the paddock. Strategies to do this need an understanding of the resistant weed but also need to be practical and relevant to the particular farming system. Ground truthing herbicide resistance strategies will provide more confidence to growers that they are practical and relevant. Whilst a general methodological approach to achieve this is understood, herbicide resistance is dynamic and responds to farming system changes, weed evolution and chemistry development. New challenges to be overcome include strategies relevant to pre-emergent herbicides, non-selective herbicide and imidazolinone herbicide dominant rotations.
This investment will develop practical strategies to delay the onset of herbicide resistance in key weeds of grain cropping systems through using improved knowledge of resistance evolutionary dynamics in the context of the associated farming systems.
Applicants are expected to deliver outputs nationally and are encouraged to apply as a consortium if required to ensure the co-ordinated and cost-effective delivery of outputs across the country. It is expected representatives will actively engage across the weed RD and E spectrum that leads to improved outcomes for growers.
The proposed work should not duplicate other GRDC investments.
Expected Outcome
By 2025, 5% of growers have decreased the cost of managing herbicide resistant weeds by 10% through employing optimal strategies against key weeds of grain cropping systems in Australia.
Expected Outputs
Output 1
By August 2025, provide to industry practical and regionally relevant effective weed management strategies to mitigate new herbicide resistance issues in key grain cropping weeds.
Details:
- Strategies developed through an understanding of herbicide resistance evolutionary dynamics and in the context of the associated farming systems.
- Resistance traits of key summer and winter growing weed species and herbicides to be based on clear rationale and decided in consultation with GRDC but should include non-selective herbicides and resistance strategies addressing imidazolinone dominant rotations.
- Strategies to be developed with consideration of true Integrated Weed Management and existing knowledge of alternative tactics.
- Resistance strategies to be field tested where feasible.
Output 2
By August 2025, development and delivery of a communications package stemming from the project research to inform industry of the best practice integrated weed management strategies to mitigate herbicide resistance of key Australian cropping weeds.
Details:
Package to include established communication platforms such as WeedSmart and GRDC Communications and other dedicated products and activities.
Location
New South Wales : Central West : Far North Coast : Far West : Hunter : Illawarra : Mid North Coast : Murray : New England : Orana : Riverina : Southern Highlands : Sydney
Queensland : Cairns & Far North Queensland : Gladstone : Mackay Whitsunday Region : Mount Isa & North West Region : Rockhampton : South East Queensland : South West & Darling Downs : The Central West : Townsville : Wide Bay Burnett
Victoria : Barwon South West : Gippsland : Grampians : Hume : Loddon Mallee : Melbourne
South Australia : Adelaide : Eyre & Western : Far North : Fleurieu & Kangaroo Island : Limestone Coast : Murray & Mallee : York & Mid North
Northern Territory : Big Rivers : Central Australia : East Arnhem : Greater Darwin
Australian Capital Territory
Tasmania
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