Weed Science Group
Whats new
Here are some of the diverse weed science projects being carried out at the University of New England. Contact Brian Sindel for further information about these research and training activities.
- Susanna Greig has been appointed as the new Educational Officer
- New PhD student, Avishek Datta, will investigate factors affecting the sensitivity of chickpea (Cicer arietinum) to isoxaflutole and its effect on nitrogen fixation and competitive ability
- New PhD student, Sandeep Narwal, is looking at the seed banks in glyphosate resistant ryegrass (Lolium rigidum)
- PhD student, Charles Grech, is looking at grazing management for the long term utilisation and control of Chilean needle grass (Nassella neesiana) in Victoria
- Recent papers on studies completed by the UNE Weed Science group:
- Gardener , M.R., Whalley, R.D.B. & Sindel, B.M. 2003. Ecology of Nassella neesiana, Chilean needle grass, in pastures on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales. I. Seed production and dispersal. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research. 54(6): 613-619 (PDF, 515 kb)
- Gardener , M.R., Whalley, R.D.B. & Sindel, B.M. 2003. Ecology of Nassella neesiana, Chilean needle grass, in pastures on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales. II. Seedbank dynamics, seed germination, and seedling recruitment. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research. 54(6): 621-26 (PDF, 290 kb)
- Grace, B.S., Sheppard, A.W., Whalley, R.D.B. & Sindel, B.M. 2002. Seedbanks and seedling emergence of saffron thistle (Carthamus lanatus) in eastern Australian pastures. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research. 53(12): 1327-1334 (PDF, 236 kb)
- Grace, B.S., Whalley, R.D.B., Sheppard, A.W. & Sindel, B.S. 2002. Managing safrron thistle in pastures with strategic grazing. Rangeland Journal. 24(2): 313-325
- Whish, J.P.M., Sindel, B.M., Jessop, R.S. & Felton, W.L. 2002. The effect of row spacing and weed density on yield loss of chickpea. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research. 53(12): 1335-1340 (PDF, 201 kb)
- Read about the findings from Greg Stockings' 2001 Honours project on the effects of night cultivation and tillage method on weed emergence.
- Scott McArdle assessed the impact of the invasive Coolatai grass (Hypparhenia hirta) on floral biodiversity in a National Park in northern NSW for his Honours research project in 2002.
- Find out more about the popular and comprehensive book, Australian Weed Management Systems, a "tour de force" edited by Associate Prof. Brian Sindel
Research projects
The primary focus for weed research in this group is weed ecology and plant competition as the basis for designing appropriate and effective weed management strategies, which place less reliance on herbicides. Research projects are spread across the grains, cotton, horticultural and pastoral industries of northern New South Wales and south-east Queensland. Visit the Research Projects page for more details.
The group is a partner in the CRC for Australian Weed Management and is involved in collaborative projects with the following organisations:
- AusAID (Australian Agency for International Development)
- Cotton CRC (Australian Cotton Cooperative Research Centre)
- Cotton RDC (Cotton Research and Development Corporation)
- CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation)
- GRDC (Grains Research and Development Corporation)
- NSW Ag (New South Wales Agriculture)
- QDPI (Queensland Department of Primary Industries)
- RIRDC (Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation)
Undergraduate courses
- Agronomy 422/522 - Integrated Weed Management Systems This unit was written by leading experts in weed management from around the country under the coordination of the CRC for Australian Weed Management.
- Agronomy 211 - Ecology and Adaptation of Agricultural Plants
- Agronomy 311 - Plant Protection
- Agronomy 420/520 - Crop Protection
Staff
Head of Group
Assoc Prof Brian Sindel (Weed Science) Further information
Staff
Assoc Prof Robin Jessop (Crop Agronomy) Further information
Assoc Prof Wal Whalley (Ecology and Physiology of Rangeland Plants)
Dr Paul Kristiansen (Agricultural Systems) Further information
Susanna Greig (Weeds Education Officer)
Postgraduates
Visit the Research Projects page for more about the projects listed below.
Current
Irawati Chaniago (PhD candidate) - Improvement of soyabean (Glycine max) resistance to weedsAnne Hoult (PhD candidate) - Using crop residues to control weeds
Zahra Cici (PhD) - Weed-crop competition in chickpea (Cicer arietinum)
Tieneke Cowan (PhD candidate) - Ecology and management of serrated tussock (Nassella trichotoma) on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales
Charles Grech (PhD candidate) - Grazing management for the long term utilisation and control of Chilean needle grass (Nassella neesiana)
Sandeep Narwal (PhD candidate) - Characterisation and depletion of glyphostae resistant ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) soil seed banks and other potentially resistant weeds in the northern grain region
David Phelps (M Rur Sc candidate) - The ecology & management of Aristida latifolia in the Mitchell Grasslands of western Qld
Mark Trotter (PhD candidate) - Best practice weed management for sheep farmers
pending - The role of weeds as alternative hosts of Fusarium wilt in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)
Mark Gardener (PhD) - Reproductive biology of Nassella neesiana (Chilean Needle Grass); a threat to the sustainability of prime lamb production
Blair Grace (PhD) - Ecology, population dynamics and management of Saffron thistle, Carthamus lanatus L
Stephen Johnson (PhD) - Ecology and management of the "take-all" weed Polymeria longifolia (Peak Downs curse) in cotton
Lynn Madden (BRurSc Honours) - Allelopathic effects of weeds
Scott McArdle (BRurSc Honours) - The impact of the invasive Coolatai grass (Hypparhenia hirta) on floral biodiversity in a National Park in northern NSW
Paul Kristiansen (PhD) - Sustainable weed management in organic herb and vegetable production
Keith Peguilly (BRurSc Honours) - Effect of temperature on the efficacy of Roundup® for controlling the growth of nutgrass
Rebecca Perry (BRurSc Honours) - Roundup Ready® Cotton Volunteer Survey
Greg Stockings (BRurSc Honours) - The effects of night cultivation and tillage method on weed emergence
Scott Wallace (BRurSc Honours) - The effects of bromoxynil and glyphosate on two biotypes of bladder ketmia (Hibiscus trionum)
Jeremy Whish (PhD) - Integrated weed management of chickpeas (Cicer arietinum)
Michael Widderick (PhD candidate) - Biology, ecology & management of common sowthistle ( Sonchus oleraceus)
David Van Ryswick (BRurSc Honours) - The effect of night sowing on the emergence patterns and competitive impact of weeds on buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales
Interesting links
Information
- Weed Information - provides information on identification, management and control of environmental and agricultural weeds. Also publishes books related to weed management and the journal Plant Protection Quarterly.
- Weed Jobs - Maintained by Robert Campbell in Canada
Organisations
Australia |
Overseas |