Skeleton weed in Western Australia, pocket guide

The Skeleton Weed Program is a coordinated approach to eradicating skeleton weed in Western Australia. It is run jointly by the State Skeleton Weed Committee, the Department of Agriculture and the Agriculture Protection Board. It is funded through the skeleton weed levy collected from grain growers each harvest, and pooled in the Skeleton Weed Eradication Trust Fund. Skeleton weed is targeted as a declared plant as it can drastically reduce crop yields (more than 1 tonne/ha in cereals) by competing for moisture and nutrients, mainly nitrogen. Its wiry stems impede headers and the sticky latex they contain cause machinery to seize.https://researchlibrary.agric.wa.gov.au/bulletins/1084/thumbnail.jp

The ecology of skeleton weed (Chondrilla juncea) in western Australia. Survival and fecundity of wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum) populations in lupin crops. Reproduction and seed persistence in Arum lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica).

After ripening and fates of field-stored skeleton weed seeds, 86BA11. Predation on seeds of skeleton weed, 86BA10. The effects of wetting/drying cycles upon the fates of skeleton weed seeds, 84PE42. Skeleton weed demographic studies, 84BA17. Radish control in lupins, 86N085. Seed production and seed persistence in Arum lily, 86PE56. Germination studies on fresh and stored seeds of Arum lily, 86PE57

The potential for skeleton weed

Since its introduction into Australia during the 900s skeleton weed has become one of the most economically significant weeds. Its presence in cereal crops in south-eastern Australia has caused suvere yield reductions and harvesting problems. Skeleton weed was first found on a Western Australian farm in 963. Since then it has been the subject of an intensive eradication campaign organised by the Agricultural Protection Board and funded by an annual levy on wheat growers. Such campaigns, which rely mainly on volunteer searchers, do not exist in eastern Australia because the weed is so widespread it would be impossible to eradicate. Studies conducted by the Weed Agronomy research officers, FD Panetta and J Dodd have led to a greater understanding of the biology and porential of skeleton weed in Western Australia. The following article is a sequel to their earlier article in the Journal of Agriculture (Panetta and Dodd 1984) and assesses what influences the establishment and spread of skeleton weed in this State

Experiments to measure the reduction of Soursob density.

Trials: 74WH; 74C19; 74E16 Soursob density. Rate of application of Diuron, Linuron and Tribunil. Test various formulations of Diuron. Determine the effect of high rates of Diuron on a crop area. Test various chemicals for control of Matricaria. Determine whether Skeleton weed seed is capable of germinating. Differences in the length of skeleton weed seed from different sites

Skeleton weed : a menace to the wheat industry

If introduced into Western Australia skeleton weed could become a greater problem to the wheat industry in this State than it is in the Eastern States.The risk of introduction is increasing. Study these illustrations so that you will be able to recognise skeleton weed if you see it; early recognition may mean the difference between eradication and infestation

The ecology of skeleton weed in Western Australia, Afghan thistle ecology, Reproductive biology of Gorteria personata.

1. The ecology of skeleton weed (Chondrilla juncea L.) in Western Australia. Seed production and water use in the glasshouse, 84PE18. Seed production and water use by field-grown skeleton weed, 84BA17, 84BA18. Seedling root growth 85PE54 2. Afghan thistle (Solanum hoplpetalm) ecology Winter rosette survival 84N050. Regenerative ability of S. hoplopetalum, 85PE51. 3. Reproductive biology of Gorteria personata. Gorteria personata Floral biology Seed content of burr

Skeleton weed : how serious a threat in Western Australia?

Skeleton weed is probably the most serious weed ever to threaten the Australian wheat industry. It interferes with wheat cropping at two stages: through competition with the growing crop, particularly for nitrogen and water during the crop\u27s development: and later through the production of a tall, wiry flowering stem which tangles in harvesting machinery and can make harvesting difficult, if not impossible. The weed is a major problem in eastern Australia although a combination of cultural, chemical and biological control programmes is helping to reduce its impact. In Western Australia, skeleton weed is being contained mainly by eradication efforts. Weed Agronomy Research Officers, F.D. Panetta and J. Dodd, are studying the ecology of skeleton weed to determine why it hasn\u27t spread further and how current control methods can be more effectively applied

The ecology of skeleton weed .(Chondrilla juncea L.) in Western Australia , Afghan thistle (Solanum hoplopetalum) ecology

1. The ecology of skeleton weed .(Chondrilla juncea L.) in Western Australia - 84PE18 Seed production and water use in the glasshouse. 1.2 Seed production and water use of field-grown skeleton weed (84BA17, 84BA18). Water use. 1.3 Germination in relation to soil water content. 2. Afghan thistle (Solanum hoplopetalum) ecology. 2.1 Water relations (84N048). 2.2 Growth in Afghan thistle (84N050). 2.3 Afghan thistle reproductive biology (84N049, 84N063, 84PE19)

Skeleton weed : the current situation

Skeleton weed is a major threat to western Australia\u27s grain industry. This weed established itself throughout the entire eastern States wheatbelt in just over 50 years and is now found from south-east Queensland to South Australia. It was first founs in Western Australia at Ballidu in 1963, and since that time has been the subject of an ongoing and intensive eradication campaign. Peter Scott and Jon Dodd report on the present status of skeleton weed in Western Australia and outline the progress to date and future directions of the eradication campaign