Wild radish

Raphanus raphanistrum

Wild radish is clearly now the most damaging broadleaf weed in Australian winter cropping. For many growers in the northern wheatbelt of Western Australia, herbicide-resistant wild radish is a threat to the viability of their cereal cropping rotation. While it is not yet such a threat in other areas, wild radish is a competitive weed wherever it emerges.

Description

Young wild radish can be mistaken for capeweed, charlock and turnip weed.

Wild radish seedlings develop into a flat rosette, but the mature plant is tall (up to 1.5 metres) and branched.

The flowers are in clusters on the ends of the branches. The petals are predominantly yellow or white, but can also be purple, pink or brown.

Control

Wild radish control requires integrated weed management. In areas of Western Australia, Velocity and Precept are the only effective post-emergent herbicide options.

Without the flexibility to rotate chemical modes of action, non-chemical management practices become very important.

Related Pests

Indian hedge mustard

Sisymbrium orientale

Indian hedge mustard is found in the cropping areas of Western Australia, northern and western New South Wales and southern Queensland. Its seeds are included in the ‘small foreign seeds’ fraction of allowable grain contaminants.

Turnip weed

Rapistrum rugosum

Turnip weed can compete particularly strongly with pulse crops, but will also substantially reduce wheat yields if it is not controlled. Better adapted to hot, dry conditions than most other brassica weeds, turnip weed is widespread in New South Wales and Queensland with the potential to become more common in all cropping areas.

Wireweed

Polygonum aviculare

Wireweed (Polygonum aviculare) is a widespread annual with wiry, trailing stems that form mats up to 1 m in width. Wireweed (or wire weed) prefers to germinate in wet soils so it is problematic in winter and in spring sown crops as it can be very competitive and smother crops. Once larger than a seedling, is difficult to control, with selective herbicides in crops.