Weed Management
Weed control in lupins should be part of an integrated weed management system for the cropping rotation.
Herbicides
Simazine (or related triazine herbicides) is a pre-emergent herbicide used routinely on lupin crops in Australia and many other parts of the world. There are restrictions on the use of this herbicide group in parts of the EU on environmental grounds.
A wide range of grass selective herbicides are safe to use on lupins but the range of post-emergent options to control broad-leafed weeds is less.
Cost, crop safety and weed control efficacy influence herbicide selection. Lupin species and varieties within a species can vary significantly in herbicide tolerance.
In Western Australia the emergence of annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) with resistance to grass selective (Group A) herbicides and wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum) with resistance to sulphonyl ureas (Group B) herbicides has become widespread and has created additional challenges for growers.
Disease and Pests
It was not until lupins were domesticated as a low alkaloid grain crop, midway through the 20th century, that pests and disease were recognised as economically important. Lupins are now cultivated in many contrasting environments around the world which influences the spectrum and severity of pest and disease challenge.
Integrated pest and disease management strategies have been successfully employed in many parts of the world to minimise crop losses.
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