Herbicides tested in weed and control trial

Summary

Tagasaste, otherwise known as Lucerne Tree or Chamaecytisus palmensis, is becoming an increasingly popular fodder shrub in many agricultural areas in South Australia, especially in the upper south-east. Farmer experience suggests that in below average rainfall and with poor timeliness tagasaste can be established very successfully in lupin crops. This is a reflection of good weed control and soil management. However, much of the tagasaste is being established using the row method of direct seeding as described by Dalton (Direct Seeding of Trees and Shrubs, a manual for Australian conditions, SA Primary Industries 1993). Weed control has often been unreliable, causing failure in tagasaste establishment. Inconsistent results have been achieved in pastures dominated by Veldt Grass (Ehrharta calycina) and/or Evening Primrose (Oenothera sp.), so this Producer Research Support project was timely.