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Identification
│
Effect on animals
│
More info?
│
Control
methods │Using
pesticides
│Disclaimer
 Blackberry’s tasty fruit
was the reason for its original introduction into Australia in the early
1800’s. Now very widespread, it is probably the one noxious weed group that
most people can identify!
Blackberry (Rubus
fruticosus agg. spp.) infests an estimated 8.8 million hectares of
land in Australia. Its invasive nature and resistance to chemical control
makes it a very difficult plant to eradicate. In
northern New South Wales, it is a major
weed of the tablelands and slopes.
 Blackberry can completely invade
grazing properties, waterways, even abandoned buildings. This photograph (left) taken
near Barraba NSW shows how blackberry can take over. Photo (right) shows an
impressive patch of blackberry near Inverell NSW!
EFFECT ON ANIMALS
 The problem with blackberry
is its invasiveness. Unimpeded, it has the potential to keep spreading until it
reduces a property’s stock-carrying capacity to nil. Its growth pattern around
waterways is so strong that it impedes stock access to water.
Sheep
can be trapped in amongst blackberry by the plants’ many thorns. Most
breeds of goats, on the
other hand, thrive on blackberry and can be effective in keeping the plants
under control.
IDENTIFICATION
Plants
comprise stems or canes covered in prickles to deter animals (and to
humans!). The canes can grow up to 7 metres long, reaching out to touch and
take root in new ground. The distinctive fruit is also an important key to
identification.
It's easy to say whether the plant is a blackberry or not, but not so easy to
actually identify which particular species it is. According to the
National Blackberry Taskforce, there are 23
introduced species and 11 native blackberry species!
Blackberry
normally flowers late November to late February, and produces its sought-after
berries December to early April.
MORE INFORMATION:
-
"Noxious Plants of
Australia", by Parsons and Cuthbertson (Inkata Press).
-
Best Practice Management
Guide, Blackberry, by Weeds CRC, Adelaide – go to
www.waite.adelaide.edu.au/CRCWMS
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CONTROL METHODS
According to NSW DPI’s excellent booklet “Noxious and Environmental Weed Control
Handbook 3rd Edition”, treatments for blackberry include:
Non-Chemical Options:
Slashing of juvenile bushes, use of goats will give some control. Biological control agents
are also available. Improve pastures with a vigorous
perennial species.
|
Chemical options |
Rate: Spot/Boom |
Comments |
|
Triclopyr+picloram
200 g/L+ 100 g/L eg
Grazon DSH® |
500 ml per 100 L
of water |
Late spring to
autumn treatment. Use an adjuvant. |
|
Glyphosate 360 g/L
Various trade names |
1.0 to 1.3 L per 100 L
of water |
Flowering to leaf fall.
Use higher rate on old dense infestations |
|
Glyphosate+metsulfuron
methyl
835 g/kg + 10 g/kg
Trounce®
|
1 measured pack (173 g) per 100
L of water |
Apply from flowering
until before leaf yellowing. Do not apply to bushes with mature fruit. |
|
Metsulfuron methyl+glyphosate
63.2 g/kg + 760.5 g/kg
Cut-out® |
1 measured pack (95g)
per 100
L of water |
Apply between January and April when bushes are actively growing. Do
not apply to bushes with mature fruit. |
|
Metsulfuron methyl
Various trade names
eg Brushoff® and Ally® |
10 g per 100 L of
water |
Apply when bushes are
actively growing. Thoroughly wet all foliage and canes at commencement of
flowering. |
Metsulfuron
methyl+picloram
200 g/kg + 240 g/kg
Crossbow®
|
30 g Part A plus 0.15 L Part B per 100 L water plus wetter |
Wet all foliage and canes. DO NOT apply to plants with mature fruit. |
Hexazinone 250 g/L
Various trade names eg Velpar L® |
Undiluted (4 mL per spot) |
Bushes up to 1 m in height. |
Picloram 600 g/L
Tordon®
granules |
35-35g/m2 |
Apply granules over an area extending from main stem to 30 cm outside the
drip line. |
|
Triclopyr
600 g/L
Various trade names
eg
Garlon 600® |
170 ml per 100 L of
water |
Late spring to early
autumn actively growing bushes. Do not use under dry conditions |
|
Triclopyr+Picloram
300 g/L + 100 g/L. Various trade names |
350 or 500 mL per 100 L of water |
Late spring to early autumn when bushes are actively growing.
Use the higher rate on plants which have been damaged by grazing stock or
insects. |
Picloram 45g/kg
Vigilant® |
Undiluted |
Cut stump/stem injection application. Apply a 3–5 mm layer
of gel for stems less than 20 mm. Apply 5 mm layer on stems
above 20 mm (see label) |
|
Permit 9158: |
Glyphosate
360 g/L
Various trade names |
1 part glyphosate to 1.5 parts water |
Cut and scrape application. |
Metsulfuron methyl
600 g/kg
Various trade names
eg Brushoff® and Ally® |
1.0-2.0 g per 10 L water |
Knapsack spot spray |
 Blackberry
is a hard plant to eradicate. If possible (and of course, subject to
bushfire restrictions at the time) burn plants about 12 t0 18 months after
treatment. This removes the bulk of the dead canes, tidies up the area, makes regrowth easier to find, and minimises quantity of herbicide needed for
follow-up treatments.
IMPORTANT: USE OF PESTICIDES – ALWAYS READ THE LABEL
Pesticides
must only be used for the purpose for which they are registered and must not be
used in any other situation or in any manner contrary to the directions on the
label. Never use a herbicide in any way contrary to the label recommendations.
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DISCLAIMER:
The information contained in this web site is based on knowledge and
understanding at the time of writing. However, because of advances in knowledge,
users are reminded of the need to ensure that information upon which they rely
is up to date and to check currency of the information with the appropriate
officer of North West Weeds or the user’s independent adviser.
LRT 7/9/02
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North West Weeds
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