MANAGING BLACKBERRY: NON-CHEMICAL CONTROL SITE

Non-Chemical Control Demonstration Site, North East Victoria

The non-chemical demonstration site is located in North East Victoria, near the township of Towong. The property is a certified organic dairy farm. The blackberry demonstration site is irrigated and located on a check bank running north-south and the infestation is approximately 30 cm high.

The aim is to demonstrate the efficacy of a product containing fractions of pine and other plant based surfactants on the pest plant blackberry (Rubus fruticosus agg.).

The product ’s mode of action causes desiccation of the plant’s cell wall which is different from traditional chemicals which translocate through the plant. The product’s mode of action causes desiccation of the plant’s cell wall which is different from traditional chemicals which translocate through the plant.

– It will decrease the blackberry biomass and damage the buds on the blackberry stem.
– There needs to be follow up applications of this product and grazing after the first application. (When using this product a motorised spray unit should be used. Full coverage is essential)
– It is possible to plant, sow and graze immediately after applying this product to the weed or blackberry infestation.

Note: 15 Litres of product ($165) or 227litres of product ($1929.50) (All costs include GST)

Method:
There are six plots measuring  10m by 1.5 m in the demonstration.
The ratio of mix is as per product label (1 litre of product to 4 litres of water, 20% dilution)

First Treatment (March 2nd 2015)
Plot 1 un-slashed (control)
Plot 2 Mulch
Plot 3 Double application** of product
Plot 4 Mulched and double application** of product
Plot 5 One application* of product
Plot 6 Mulched and single application* of product

plot 1&2 – first treatment

plot 3&4 – first treatment

plot 5&6 – first treatment

Second Treatment (September 28th 2015)
Take photos of six sites and make observations
Plot 1 No treatment
Plot 2 Mulch regrowth
Plot 3 Reapply product * to any blackberry actively growing
Plot 4 Reapply product * to any blackberry actively growing
Plot 5 Reapply product * to any blackberry actively growing
Plot 6 Reapply product * to any blackberry actively growing

plot 1&2 – second treatment

plot 3&4 – second treatment

plot 5&6 – second treatment

plot 7 – first treatment

Third treatment (April 26th 2016)
Take photos of six sites and make observations
Plot 1 No treatment
Plot 2 Mulch Regrowth
Plot 3 Reapply product * to any blackberry actively growing
Plot 4 Reapply product * to any blackberry actively growing
Plot 5 Reapply product * to any blackberry actively growing
Plot 6 Reapply product * to any blackberry actively growing

plot 1&2 – third treatment

plot 3&4 – third treatment

plot 5&6 – third treatment

plot 7 – second treatment

* One application at 3 litres a minute
** Two applications at 3 litres a minute

DEMONSTRATION SITE MAP ( Direction – South)(Irrigated check bank down the centre)

Plot 7 – Non irrigated fenceline
28th of September – One application of product *
26th of April – One application of product *

* One application at 3 litres a minute
** Two applications at 3 litres a minute

Results:
Observations and a third treatment of the product, which is accredited for use by organic growers, were conducted at the Towong Demonstration site on the 26th of April 2016. Read a report on the latest results from the demonstration site.