NSW Department of Primary Industries | CSU Homepage
4 July 2006
Graham Centre weed research strengthened by new appointment
Dr Rex Stanton has been appointed as a Graham Centre post-doctoral fellow specialising in weed research. Dr Stanton has extensive experience in weed management. This experience includes developing integrated strategies for managing herbicide-resistant annual ryegrass and involvement in the Weed Society of NSW and the Council of Australasian Weed Societies. Dr Stanton has been appointed to work on the latest Graham Centre research project, Innovative Management of Silverleaf Nightshade and Prairie Ground Cherry.
The research on Silverleaf Nightshade and Prairie Ground Cherry is funded by Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) and will identify and develop integrated management strategies for these two perennial broadleaf weeds. The emphasis of the work will be on opportunities to utilise competitive perennial pastures, improve efficacy of herbicides and identification of potential bioherbicide and biocontrol opportunities. The first steps in the research are locating and establishing field sites and sowing these with a range of pastures with several forage conservation options to be imposed to improve weed control. At the same time additional sites are being established to investigate herbicide control options in a range of situations.
The research on Silverleaf Nightshade and Prairie Ground Cherry is of great importance because both weeds have extensive root systems that compete directly with pastures and crops for resources and, through soil moisture depletion during summer, impact upon subsequent winter crops. The weeds also have potential to be toxic to stock. Both weeds have the potential to become widespread, intractable problems unless cost effective integrated weed management strategies are developed and implemented.
For more information contact Dr Stanton rstanton@csu.edu.au (02) 6938 1618 or project leader Dr Hanwen Wu hanwen.wu@dpi.nsw.gov.au . During the course of the project information will be made available to weed control officers, agronomists and researchers. Material will also be delivered at field days and seminars on a regular basis.