| Biology of arrowhead
(Sagittaria montevidensis)
Research Supervisors:
Professor Jim Pratley and Mr Peter Slater
Research Staff:
Mr Giles Flower
Funding:
$75,000 (RIRDC)
Duration:
1997-1999
Project Summary:
Arrowhead (Sagittaria montevidensis) is an
aquatic plant that occurs in rice crops, but whose significance has been overshadowed in the past
by that of starfruit and dirty dora. Research at
Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, has
identified resistance in arrowhead to the main herbicide for
its control, bensulfuron (LondaxÒ). Similarly,
experience in the United States has uncovered the problem
of bensulfuron resistance in aquatic rice weeds and
in California, arrowhead is considered the most important of these.
It is widely accepted in the scientific literature
that dependence on a limited range of herbicides, such
as in US and Australian aerially sown rice crops,
will almost inevitably lead to the establishment of
resistant populations.
Overcoming the problem of herbicide resistance
is complex. Increasing the rates of herbicide
application only serves to hasten the development of
resistance and new action herbicides are rare. Indeed,
even when they are available, they raise the possibility
of new resistances developing unless heavy
dependence on the new chemical can be avoided. This is
difficult in rice, given the limited options available.
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Farrer Centre Research Report 1998
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This project aims to describe the biological
and environmental requirements of arrowhead, a
weed that seems to be well adapted to the
conditions provided by aerially sown rice.
