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  Coolatai
grass (Hyparrhenia hirta) has taken over large areas of the north west
and is still spreading. It continues to cause serious ecological damage
within national parks and the like, where it displaces other desirable plant
species.
Coolatai grass burns with
intense heat, and in an uncontrolled fire event can cause severe damage to
desirable trees and shrubs, fences, buildings, as well as threaten livestock and
human life. The excessive smoke from a Coolatai grass fire anywhere near a
roadway can also create an extremely hazardous situation for motorists.
Coolatai grass is generally regarded as a weed because of
its low digestibility, and stock generally avoid Coolatai grass in favour of
other grasses. However, the hardy nature of Coolatai grass has meant it
being the only feed available in many lighter-soil areas during extreme drought
conditions. Stock will survive on it, with assistance from feed
supplements.
 According to research carried out by NSW Dept
of Primary Industries (DPI), grazing management, soil nutrition and legume species can
improve the value of Coolatai grass. For
information on these options contact NSW DPI
agronomists at Manilla NSW (Lester
McCormick) or at Inverell NSW (Bob
McGufficke). Or, go to the NSW DPI weeds website to download a
copy of
Management of Coolatai Grass on the North West Slopes of NSW
 .
Click
on photo (left) to see an example of how Coolatai grass
can dominate grazing areas. Photo taken from roadside between Bingara and
Delungra, July 2001.
Coolatai grass can spread to new areas very quickly!
 Coolatai grass has an amazing capacity to spread. During
its seeding phase, the plant produces thousands of tiny, sticky seeds
which adhere readily to animals, farm machinery and motor vehicles.
Three photos on the left show how seeds
attached to the front of a motor vehicle after it was driven 50 metres
along a track
 covered
with (wet) Coolatai grass! Check out the seeds on the close-up of the number
plate...
Little wonder Coolatai grass continues to spread throughout New South Wales!
More information:
An excellent and detailed
Coolatai grass weed management guide
is available from the former Weeds CRC based in Adelaide.
 Control:
Every effort should be made to prevent Coolatai grass from
becoming established in new areas. Treatment - either
manual removal or herbicide application - is advisable before plants have a chance to produce seed. Regular follow-up is essential to prevent
further establishment.
Herbicides?
- PLEASE READ AND FOLLOW PERMIT DIRECTIONS
- Permit PER9792 relates to both SPOT SPRAY and BROADACRE applications.
It also includes rates for WIPER applications (not included below)
| Herbicide |
Rate: Spot/Boom |
Comments |
|
Glyphosate options various trade names
360 g/L
450 g/L
540 g/L OR
Fluproponate
eg Tussock Herbicide®
745 g/L |
IN WATER
2.0 L in 100 L
1.6 L in 100 L
1.3 L in 100 L
300 mL in 100 L |
SPOT SPRAY SUPPRESSION - only in
situations listed for the herbicide: Apply herbicide solution to
Coolatai grass to the point of run-off from leaf surfaces using high
volume spot spray applicators. Timing: best time for
glyphosate is Sept to May, repeat treatments will be necessary -
fluproponate best time Jul to Oct, once per season.
SEE FULL DETAILS in
Permit PER9792
|
Glyphosate options various trade names
360 g/L
450 g/L
540 g/L
Fluproponate
eg Tussock Herbicide®
745 g/L |
IN WATER
6.0 L / ha
4.8 L / ha
4.0 L / ha
3.0 L / ha
|
BROADACRE SUPPRESSION - only in
situations listed for the herbicide: Apply herbicide solution to
Coolatai grass to the point of run-off from leaf surfaces - 1000-2000 L
per hectare. Timing: best time for glyphosate is
Sept to May, repeat treatments will be necessary - fluproponate
best time Jul to Oct, once per season.
SEE FULL DETAILS in
Permit PER9792
(part) |
|
Glyphosate options various trade names
360 g/L
450 g/L
540 g/L PLUS
Fluproponate
eg Tussock Herbicide®
745 g/L |
IN WATER
2.0 L in 100 L
1.6 L in 100 L
1.3 L in 100 L
200 mL in 100 L |
SPOT SPRAY - SEED CHECK - only in
situations listed for BOTH herbicides: Apply herbicide solution to
Coolatai grass to the point of run-off from leaf surfaces using high
volume spot spray applicators. Timing: Apply to actively growing
plants before flowering - addition of fluproponate is most effective
during spring, apply between July and Oct. Use this tank mix once per
season. Rates: mix fluproponate with glyphosate. SEE FULL DETAILS
included in
Permit PER9792
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IMPORTANT:
USE OF PESTICIDES – ALWAYS READ ALWAYS READ THE LABEL
Pesticides must only be used for the purpose for which they are registered and
must not be used in any other situation or in any manner contrary to the
directions on the label. Never use a herbicide in any way contrary to the label
recommendations.
DISCLAIMER:
The information contained in this web site is based on knowledge and
understanding at the time of writing. However, because of advances in knowledge,
users are reminded of the need to ensure that information upon which they rely
is up to date and to check currency of the information with the appropriate
officer of North West Weeds or the user’s independent adviser.
LRT 11/04/2010
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North West Weeds
