Biology and Management of Wild Oat in Australia

Wild oat (Avena spp.) is one of the most serious weeds in Australian winter season crops such as wheat, barley, chickpea, etc. Avena fatua and A. ludoviciana are the dominant species of wild oat in cropping regions of Australia. Propagation of wild oat can occur through seeds. Dissemination of wild oat occurs by agricultural machinery, use of the contaminated seeds and crop residues, etc. Seed recruitment of wild oat in the soil occurs through high seed production and the shattering ability of plants. Wild oat has evolved resistance to many herbicides and continuous use of same herbicide could increase the resistance build-up in many populations on a large scale in Australia. The use of herbicides with different modes of action can provide cost-effective and sustainable control of wild oat. Non-chemical weed management practices, such as sanitation, residue burning, tillage operation, crop rotations, and improved crop competition approaches could reduce the infestation of this weed. For sustainable control of wild oat, integrated strategies involving chemical and non-chemical tactics may prove useful. Knowledge regarding the understanding of wild oat ecology could aid in strengthening the integrated management of this weed.