African turnip weed (western) is a herb up to 50 cm tall with white or yellow flowers. It can invade crops, pastures and native bushland.
African turnip (Western) is mainly a crop weed but it can also invade pastures and natural bushland.
African turnip weed is an annual herb that grows along the ground. The flower stems can be up to 50 cm tall. There are two varieties of this species, one is hairy and the other is hairless.
African turnip weed looks like other Sisymbrium species. Its most distinctive feature is the small, densely hairy, curved fruits up to 3.5 cm long.
African turnip weed has limited distribution within NSW but has the potential for further spread. Plants have been found in the Central Tablelands and Hunter region. Most infestations in Australia are in Western Australia.
It is native to south western Europe, the Middle East and northern Africa.
African turnip weed (western) grows in clayey, loamy or sandy soils. It grows:
African turnip weed (western) reproduces by seed. Seeds are most likely spread by water, via contaminated soil, fodder, vehicles and other equipment. Seeds can spread along roadsides during road works.
Auld, B. A. & Medd, R. W. (1987). Weeds: an illustrated botanical guide to the weeds of Australia. Department of Agriculture NSW.
Khodashenas, M., & ASADI, M. (2007). A taxonomic revision of the genus Sisymbrium (Brassicaceae) in Iran. Iran. Journ. Bot. 13 (1): 49-52
CISS (Centre for Invasive Species Solutions). (2020). Weeds Australia Profiles Sisymbrium runcinatum Lag. ex DC. Retreived 2022 from https://profiles.ala.org.au/opus/weeds-australia/profile/Sisymbrium%20runcinatum
Successful weed control relies on follow up after the initial efforts. This means looking for and killing regrowth or new seedlings. Using a combination of control methods is usually more successful.
Hand pull small seedlings and dig out larger plants. Dispose of any flowering or seeding plants carefully.
Contact your local council for advice on how to dispose of this plant.
Provides residual control in summer rainfall areas. Spray bare moist ground. Use higher rates for heavy soils.
Spray weed free soil before or within 4 weeks of transplanting Eucalyptus or Pinus spp. Weeds can also be sprayed at the 4-6 leaf stage.
See Using herbicides for more information.
Oxyfluorfen 240 g/L
(Goal Herbicide)
Rate: 3 to 4 L per ha
Comments: Forestry: pre-emergence application
Withholding period: Do not allow livestock to graze treated weeds.
Herbicide group: 14 (previously group G), Inhibition of protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO inhibitors)
Resistance risk: Moderate
Simazine 900 g/kg
(Various products)
Rate: 5 kg per ha or 500 g per 100 L of water
Comments: Non-crop areas. Apply to bare moist ground for seasonal control of germinating weeds.
Withholding period: Not required when used as directed.
Herbicide group: 5 (previously group C), Inhibition of photosynthesis at photosystem II - D1 Serine 264 binders (and other nonhistidine binders) (PS II Serine 264 inhibitors)
Resistance risk: Moderate
Simazine 900 g/kg
(Various products)
Rate: 10 or 24 kg per ha or 1 kg or 2.4 kg per 100 L of water
Comments: Non-crop areas: For long term residual control of weeds in LIGHT SOILS. Apply to moist bare ground. Use lower rate for winter rainfall areas and higher rate for summer rainfall areas.
Withholding period: Not required when used as directed.
Herbicide group: 5 (previously group C), Inhibition of photosynthesis at photosystem II - D1 Serine 264 binders (and other nonhistidine binders) (PS II Serine 264 inhibitors)
Resistance risk: Moderate
Simazine 900 g/kg
(Various products)
Rate: 1.6 to 6.7 kg per ha
Comments: Forestry: pre-emergence application
Withholding period: Not required when used as directed.
Herbicide group: 5 (previously group C), Inhibition of photosynthesis at photosystem II - D1 Serine 264 binders (and other nonhistidine binders) (PS II Serine 264 inhibitors)
Resistance risk: Moderate
Simazine 900 g/kg
(Various products)
Rate: 24 kg or 48 kg per ha; or 2.4 kg or 4.8 kg per 100L of water.
Comments: Non-crop areas: For long term residual control of weeds in HEAVY SOILS. Apply to moist bare ground. Use lower rate for winter rainfall areas and higher rate for summer rainfall areas.
Withholding period: Not required when used as directed.
Herbicide group: 5 (previously group C), Inhibition of photosynthesis at photosystem II - D1 Serine 264 binders (and other nonhistidine binders) (PS II Serine 264 inhibitors)
Resistance risk: Moderate
The content provided here is for information purposes only and is taken from the Biosecurity Act 2015 and its subordinate legislation, and the Regional Strategic Weed Management Plans (published by each Local Land Services region in NSW). It describes the state and regional priorities for weeds in New South Wales, Australia.
Area | Duty |
---|---|
All of NSW | General Biosecurity Duty All pest plants are regulated with a general biosecurity duty to prevent, eliminate or minimise any biosecurity risk they may pose. Any person who deals with any plant, who knows (or ought to know) of any biosecurity risk, has a duty to ensure the risk is prevented, eliminated or minimised, so far as is reasonably practicable. |
Reviewed 2023