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Potato weed

Galinsoga parviflora
Also known as yellow weed, potato weed is an almost hairless, annual herb that gets its name because of its resemblance to a potato plant. While potato weed prefers damp areas, it will grow in a range of soil types, with varying pH and will grow in semi-shade to full sun. Potato weed is a pest of a number of horticultural crops, particularly irrigated vegetables.

Note: Although heliotrope (Heliotropium europaeum) is sometimes known as potato weed, this is an unrelated weed and it is not covered here.

 

Description

The leaves of pigweed are opposite, pale green, oval in shape and are usually toothed and have a pointed tip. They can range from 12 to 40 mm in width and 20 to 70 mm in length. The stems of potato weed are often 30 to 60 cm tall and are either erect or may bend upwards at the ends. Potato weed has small yellow flowers with usually five white petals in spring and summer.

Control

Potato weed is spread via seed, producing several generations in one year that can remain dormant for some time. It is a very competitive plant that can form a dense mat, outcompeting newly germinating crop seedlings. It is best controlled by cultivation or herbicides.

Betanal® Flow is registered for the control of two-leaf potato weed in beet crops and Sencor® is registered for the control of potato weed in transplanted tomatoes. 

Roundup Ultra®MAX®, Roundup Ready® with Plantshield® and Roundup Ready PL are registered for the control of potato weed in a range of situations. 

Related Products

Betanal Flow
Roundup UltraMAX
Roundup Ready with plantshield
Roundup Ready PL Herbicide with Plantshield technology
Sencor® 480 SC Selective Herbicide product by Bayer
Roundup Biactive GL
 

References

Herbiguide (2014), ‘Potato Weed’, Herbiguide, http://www.herbiguide.com.au/Descriptions/hg_Potato_Weed.htm

International Environmental Weed Foundation (2019), ‘Galinsoga parviflora’, https://www.iewf.org/weedid/Galinsoga_parviflora.htm

Read, I (2015), ‘Potato weed now introduced to most of the world’, The Queensland Times, https://www.qt.com.au/news/potato-a-weed-of-many-crops/2864683/