Improving weed control options for ryegrass/clover pastures that contain plantain (Plantago lanceolata) : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Plant Science at Massey University, Manawatū, New Zealand
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Date
2023
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Massey University
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Abstract
The inclusion of narrow-leaved plantain (Plantago lanceolata) in the traditional pasture system of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and white clover (Trifolium repens) is preferred by many New Zealand farmers nowadays to assist with nitrogen loss mitigation and to improve summer production. Control of weeds using selective herbicides becomes more difficult after adding extra species to a grass/clover sward. The work in this thesis investigated weed control options for ryegrass/clover pastures in New Zealand that contain plantain. This included determining the tolerance of plantain to different herbicides and identifying the herbicide options most effective for weeds.
There has been some breeding of phenoxy herbicide tolerance into the Agritonic cultivar of plantain in New Zealand. In this thesis, the level of tolerance in Agritonic plantain was compared with Tonic plantain to MCPB, MCPA, MCPB/MCPA mix, 2,4-D and 2,4-DB in two glasshouse experiments. The tolerance generally appeared to be 1.3 to 3.4-fold, so not large but potentially useful.
The thesis also investigated the tolerance of plantain, white clover and perennial ryegrass to a range of herbicides applied to a mixed sward of these species at an early stage of establishment in spring. The effectiveness of the herbicides was also assessed for controlling weeds that established within the swards using two field trials. Half of the recommended rate of MCPB was less damaging to both cultivars of plantain than the recommended rates of MCPB and MCPB/MCPA, but could not control most of the weeds present. The recommended rate of MCPB/MCPA had very little detrimental effect on young clover or Agritonic plantain and gave good weed control. Flumetsulam was fairly safe to use in the plantain-based pasture though it suppressed plantain initially, which recovered after 3-6 months in each trial. Bentazone was safe for the plantain, ryegrass and clover and suppressed most of the weeds, but only if there was no rainfall in the hours after herbicide application. Mowing after each harvest controlled redroot, black nightshade and fathen and also suppressed docks temporarily. The most effective weed control strategy that was also selective involved a combination of bentazone + half rates of MCPB/MCPA followed by mowing which gave useful control of weeds including docks for many months.
The mechanism of tolerance of Agritonic plantain to 2,4-D was investigated using radiolabeled herbicide (¹⁴C-2,4-D) in two experiments. Absorption/translocation and metabolism of the herbicide was studied in both this cultivar and Tonic plantain for comparison. The tolerance to 2,4-D in Agritonic plantain appeared to involve reduced translocation of the herbicide, though reduced absorption may have also contributed.
Two glasshouse experiments were conducted to test the tolerance of mature plantain plants (both Agritonic and Tonic) to application of some herbicides suitable for use in weed wipers (glyphosate, clopyralid, aminopyralid, dicamba, picloram and triclopyr) to the seed-heads, simulating potential contact during wiper application to pasture weeds. Aminopyralid and a low rate of glyphosate were found to be the least damaging treatments and should be safe to use for weed wiping within swards containing plantain. A high rate of glyphosate and a glyphosate/metsulfuron mix caused the most damage to plantain, and this damage was greater following simulated rainfall after application.
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Pastures, Weed control, New Zealand, Plantago, Effect of glyphosate on, Herbicide injuries, Herbicide-resistant crops, Plantain, Agritonic, Tonic, ryegrass, clover, herbicide, phenoxy herbicides, tolerance, MCPA, MCPB, 2,4-D, flumetsulam, bentazone, weeds