Wild radish

Wild radish is clearly now the most damaging broadleaf weed in Australian winter cropping. For many growers in the northern wheatbelt of Western Australia, herbicide-resistant wild radish is a threat to the viability of their cereal cropping rotation. While it is not yet such a threat in other areas, wild radish is a competitive weed wherever it emerges.

Description

Young wild radish can be mistaken for capeweed, charlock and turnip weed.

Wild radish seedlings develop into a flat rosette, but the mature plant is tall (up to 1.5 metres) and branched.

The flowers are in clusters on the ends of the branches. The petals are predominantly yellow or white, but can also be purple, pink or brown.

Control

Wild radish control requires integrated weed management. In areas of Western Australia, Velocity and Precept are the only effective post-emergent herbicide options.

Without the flexibility to rotate chemical modes of action, non-chemical management practices become very important.