HWSC

The obvious evolutionary reality is that persistent use of harvest weed seed control (HWSC) is a selection pressure for any mechanisms enabling L. rigidum seed to avoid HWSC. For example, seed shatters before grain harvest or a greater percentage of retained seed at a height below that at which the crop is cut in the harvesting operation.

In this modeling work, Gayle Somerville evaluated the value of HWSC in minimising the rate of herbicide resistance evolution. The modeling clearly showed the benefit of HWSC in minimising resistance evolution. There is a real benefit in having the diversity tactic of the non-chemical HWSC in minimising the rate of resistance evolution. HWSC reduces weed numbers over time and helps achieve greater sustainability and longevity of important herbicide resources.

This research paper, “iHSD mill efficacy on the seeds of Australian cropping system weeds” by M Walsh, J Broster, S Powles, quantifies the efficacy of Harrington Seed Destructor (HSD) mills in destroying weed seed in the grain harvester chaff fraction.

Global grain production is under threat from the escalating evolution of herbicide-resistant weed populations. Worldwide, herbicide-reliant grain crop production systems have driven the proliferation of herbicide resistant populations of major weed species.