Chemical weed control in irrigation channels at the Kimberley Research Station, Western Australia

Abstract

In three trials at Kimberley Research Station between 1959 and 1962 the herbicides monuron and simazine were tested for the control of weeds in irrigation channels during the wet season. Monuron at 12-16 lbs an acre and simazine at 12 lb an acre active ingredient controlled (or killed) most weeds. More resistant weeds, such as Brachiaria mutica (Forsk.) Stapf. (para grass), Chionachne Hubbardiana Henr. and Clitoria ternatea L. (butterfly pea) required higher rates (up to 20 lb an acre active ingredient). Channels should be sprayed approximately a fortnight before sowing cotton and rice crops. The effectiveness of the treatments was increased by burning the weeds and delving the channels. Since cotton was found susceptible to simazine and rice was very susceptible to monuron, supply channels for cotton should be sprayed with monuron and channels for rice with simazine.