Look beyond chemicals to tame Paterson's curse

摘要

For some pasture weeds, producers have the option of biological controls and long-term management techniques instead of relying on chemical solutions. In the first of a series of articles on controlling weeds in pasture, Pamela Lawson examines the options available to fight Paterson's curse. While the return to regular rainfall brings rejuvenation to pastures, it can also trigger an explosion of weeds. Paterson's curse can produce more than 5000 seeds per plant each year and the seed can remain dormant yet viable in soil for up to five years. Given sufficient moisture and warm temperatures, the seed will then germinate at any time of year.