Innocent weed

Cenchrus longispinus and Cenchrus spinifex
innocent_weed_1_-_Innocent_weed_burrs_and_foliage_DWLBC.jpg
innocent_weed_2_-_IW_Burrs_A_Harvey.jpg
innocent_weed_3_-_IW_plant_A-Harvey.jpg

Weed profile

  • Annual
  • Grass
  • Contaminates produce
  • Injures animals
  • Habitat: pastures

Impact

Competes with irrigated crops. Burrs injure animals.

Description

  • Annual summer-growing grasses to 70 cm tall.
  • Soft hairless leaves.
  • Seed heads of several burrs about 7 mm wide with sharp spines.

Control options

  • chemical control

    glyphosate dual salt (360g/L)

    When: Spot spray, December - January

    Where: Conservation areas, bushland and other non-crop areas.

  • chemical control

    glyphosate (450g/L)

    When: Boom spray, summer

    Where: Fallows, pre-sowing.

  • chemical control

    fluazifop-p (128g/L)

    When: Boom spray, growing actively at 5 leaf to early tillering.

    Where: Citrus, grapes and stonefruit crops.

  • chemical control

    fluazifop-p (128g/L)

    When: Boom spray, growing actively at 3-5 leaf stage before tillering starts

    Where: Lucerne

  • chemical control

    chlorthal-dimethyl (750g/kg)

    When: Boom spray, autumn or early spring.

    Where: Lucerne and perennial grasses

  • chemical control

    chlorthal-dimethyl (750g/kg)

    When: Boom spray, at time of sowing or transplanting.

    Where: Vegetable crops.

  • chemical control

    trifuralin (480g/kg)

    When: Boom spray, pre-sowing.

    Where: Lupins, sunflowers, soybeans

  • physical control

    Manual removal

    When: Any time

    Where: Small infestations.

  • physical control

    Grazing

    When: December - January

    Where: Pastures.

glyphosate dual salt (360g/L)

Application Method: Spot spray

Application Rate: 1L/100L

Product Name: Weedmaster® Duo

Herbicide Group: 9

Situation: Conservation areas, bushland and other non-crop areas.

Timing: Spot spray, December - January

Comments: Non selective, avoid contact with desirable plants.

Legal Status: PER 13371 (exp. 2027)

glyphosate (450g/L)

Application Method: Boom spray

Application Rate: 800mL-1L/ha

Product Name: Roundup CT®

Herbicide Group: 9

Situation: Fallows, pre-sowing.

Timing: Boom spray, summer

Comments: Prior to cultivation and sowing a crop or pasture. Use higher rates on larger plants. Non selective, avoid contact with desirable plants.

Legal Status: Product and use are registered, but this weed is not on the label.

fluazifop-p (128g/L)

Application Method: Boom spray

Application Rate: 2.5L/ha

Product Name: Fusilade Forte 128 EC®

Herbicide Group: 1

Situation: Citrus, grapes and stonefruit crops.

Timing: Boom spray, growing actively at 5 leaf to early tillering.

Comments: Selective herbicide to kill grasses. Apply in not less than 200 L/ha

Legal Status: Registered

fluazifop-p (128g/L)

Application Method: Boom spray

Application Rate: 1.24L/ha

Product Name: Fusilade Forte 128 EC®

Herbicide Group: 1

Situation: Lucerne

Timing: Boom spray, growing actively at 3-5 leaf stage before tillering starts

Comments:

Selective herbicide to kill grasses. Apply in not less than 100 L/ha. Apply when lucerne is past the 2 to 3 trifoliate leaf stage.

Do not graze or cut for stock feed for 6 weeks after application.

Legal Status: Registered

chlorthal-dimethyl (750g/kg)

Application Method: Boom spray

Application Rate: 11-15 kg/ha

Product Name: Hemani Chlorthal 750 WG®

Herbicide Group: 3

Situation: Lucerne and perennial grasses

Timing: Boom spray, autumn or early spring.

Comments: Pre-emergent control. Use at least 450 L water/ha.

Legal Status: Registered

chlorthal-dimethyl (750g/kg)

Application Method: Boom spray

Application Rate: 9-15 kg/ha

Product Name: Hemani Chlorthal 750 WG®

Herbicide Group: 3

Situation: Vegetable crops.

Timing: Boom spray, at time of sowing or transplanting.

Comments: Pre-emergent control. Use lower rate on lighter soils. Use at least 450 L water/ha.

Legal Status: Registered

trifuralin (480g/kg)

Application Method: Boom spray

Application Rate: 1.2L/ha (light and medium soils) 1.7L/ha (heavy soils)

Product Name: Treflan 480®

Herbicide Group: 3

Situation: Lupins, sunflowers, soybeans

Timing: Boom spray, pre-sowing.

Comments: Pre-emergent control in certain broadleaf crops. Spray from 4 weeks to just before sowing takes place.

Legal Status: Registered

Manual removal

Situation: Small infestations.

Timing: Any time

Comments: Grub each plant and dispose securely to avoid dropping burrs. Follow up in the next season or after summer rains.

Grazing

Situation: Pastures.

Timing: December - January

Comments: Prevents seed set

Legal requirements in each region

To find out which landscape region you're in visit the NatureMaps website.
Alinytjara Wiluṟara
Eyre Peninsula
Green Adelaide
Hills and Fleurieu
Kangaroo Island
Limestone Coast
Murraylands and Riverland
Northern and Yorke
South Australian Arid Lands