Sowthistle/ milk thistle
Sonchus oleraceus
Sowthistle is common and widespread, but has traditionally only been a major cropping weed in northern New South Wales and Queensland, where several germinations can occur in a single year. However, it is favoured by minimum tillage systems and may therefore now require more management in all cropping areas.
Description
The spoon-shaped cotyledons of sowthistle seedlings are often covered by a greyish powdery film.
Mature sowthistle plants grow up to a metre high. They have serrated, bluish-green leaves and hollow stems that exude a sticky white sap when broken. Sowthistle flowers are yellow.
Control
A competitive crop can suppress or even fully control sowthistle. Barley will compete more strongly than wheat.
Both knockdown and selective herbicide applications are more effective when the weeds are small, so the early application timing of Velocity makes it a preferred option post-emergence.
