Print This PageIntegrated Weed Management
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With the introduction of Roundup Ready technology, Integrated Weed Management (IWM) has become a key tool in Australian cotton weed management programs. IWM provides a framework for effective and sustainable weed management and is integral in preventing herbicide resistance, which can occur when there is a reliance on a limited number of weed control options over an extended period of time.
The principles of IWM are that weed management should not rely on one single form of control. There are several key components including physical, chemical, cultural and even biological control methods. The aim of IWM is to prevent weeds from surviving, competing with your crop and propagating (setting seed or vegetatively reproducing).This will lead to a reduction in weed populations over time, resulting in reduced crop competition and an improvement in crop productivity. A secondary benefit of effective integrated weed management is minimising the pests and diseases that weeds can harbour.
Planning
Weed control is a year round, whole farm requirement
- Spend time in your fields, know the weed histories.
- Don’t make decisions in isolation – consider your whole cropping system.
- Monitor crop and weed growth and maintain good records.
- Plan ahead for post harvest crop stubble residue handing.
- Plan ahead for volunteer and ratoon cotton control including non-cropping areas.
Agronomic
- Keep fallows weed free.
- Correctly identify all weeds.
- Always follow herbicide labels.
- Control weeds when small for the best results.
- Use the appropriate herbicide rate for the hardest to control weeds present.
- Don’t rely on one method for weed control.
- Young cotton is a very poor competitor with weeds and this may affect yields.
- Consider residual herbicides plant-back restrictions for following crops.
- Control volunteer and ratoon cotton as soon as possible.
