Course in Integrated Weed Management

Few people in this world escape the deleterious effects of weeds. Whether you are a grazier who has a problem with shrub weeds competing with pastures over vast areas of inland Australia or you are an inner-city apartment dweller who has weed control costs passed onto them in higher food prices, all people are affected. Consider the time spent pulling out weeds in gardens alone around the world and you will soon realise why it is said that more energy is expended in the weeding of crops than in any other single human task. The cost of weeds to the Australian community has been estimated at over $3 billion annually, so it is imperative to be able to manage them effectively.

In recognition of the threat caused by weeds and that education in Australia on the theory and practice of weed management was fragmented and uncoordinated, the Co-operative Research Centre for Weed Management Systems, of which UNE is an active participant, developed a university level subject known as Integrated Weed Management. The unit is the first of its kind in Australia, having been written by leading experts in weed management from around the country.

This unit aims to give students an understanding of how weeds function so as to be able to exploit their weaknesses, and includes information on the latest techniques and ideas on weed management as applied to Australian ecosystems, whether they be crops, pastures or the natural environment. The topics covered include weed identification, weed ecology, weed management (including biological, cultural and chemical techniques) and integrated weed management, which combines all appropriate weed management methods.

The unit has been designed to be taken by students studying in a range of degrees at both undergraduate and postgraduate level at various universities and is relevant to anyone who cares for a piece of land, whether its your back yard, roadside corridors, local bushland, a national park or farm. The unit can also be taken as a non-degree or professional course for a fee.

UNIT OUTLINE
This unit has seven sections. All are compulsory.

Part 1 - The Nature of Weeds

Introduction - the world of weeds
Legislated weeds

Part 2 - Weed Ecology

Weed ecology - crop weeds
Weed ecology in pastures
Weed ecology in native ecosystems

Part 3 - Cultural Control of Weeds

Role of tillage in weed management
Crop and pasture management tactics

Part 4 - Chemical Control of Weeds

Herbicide mode of action
Application of herbicides
Fate of herbicides in the environment
Herbicide resistance

Part 5 - Biological Control of Weeds

Biological control agents: choice, rearing and release
Use of micro-organisms for biological control of weeds: the bioherbicide technique

Part 6 - Population Dynamics and Economics of Weed Control

Weed population dynamics and integrated weed management
Economics and decision making in weed management

Part 7 - Integrated Weed Management (IWM)

Students are to choose one of the following four electives as the final part of their course.
1. IWM in cropping systems
2. IWM in pastures
3. IWM in natural ecosystems
4. IWM in horticulture and viticulture
Notes for the remaining three elective topics are given to you to serve as a resource should you require information related to weed management in other landuse systems in the future.

Inquiries about the unit in Integrated Weed Management Systems (AGRO422/522) should be directed to:

Assoc Prof Brian Sindel - Head of Group

Agronomy & Soil Science (building W23)
email: bsindel@une.edu.au
phone: 02 6773 3747 (or +61 2 6773 3747)
fax: 02 6773 3238

For general and administrative enquiries:

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Weed Science Group

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