Long-term Control and Seedbank Depletion of Annual Ryegrass: Management Strategies

Annual ryegrass is a major winter annual weed of the southern Australian wheat-belt, which naturalised after its introduction as a pasture species.

If not managed effectively, ryegrass can significantly reduce the yield of winter crops. Many populations of ryegrass have developed resistance to selective grass herbicides used in crops, making post-emergent control difficult.

Growers must now plan carefully how to best manage ryegrass populations, and considerations start with crop choices and the associated weed control options available.

A succession of years with multiple and diverse control options used in varying cropping phases is central to successful ryegrass management.