Saffron thistle (Carthamus lanatus)
Saffron thistle is a very spiny plant with yellow flowers. It is a weed in pastures and crops.
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How does this weed affect you?
Saffron thistle is native to the Mediterranean region and is a serious weed of crops and pastures in NSW. It is an erect, rigid, annual plant usually growing up to one metre in height. It mainly occurs on overcropped paddocks with low fertility and poorly structured soils.
Saffron thistle mainly occurs in the Northwest Slopes and the Central West regions of NSW. It spreads by seed only and is often spread as a contaminate of grain, hay or wool and by the movement of stock or farm vehicles.
More information
Control
Herbicide options
WARNING - ALWAYS READ THE LABEL
Users of agricultural or veterinary chemical products must always read the label and any permit, before using the product, and strictly comply with the directions on the label and the conditions of any permit. Users are not absolved from compliance with the directions on the label or the conditions of the permit by reason of any statement made or not made in this information. To view permits or product labels go to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority website www.apvma.gov.au
Users of agricultural or veterinary chemical products must always read the label and any permit, before using the product, and strictly comply with the directions on the label and the conditions of any permit. Users are not absolved from compliance with the directions on the label or the conditions of the permit by reason of any statement made or not made in this information. To view permits or product labels go to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority website www.apvma.gov.au
See Using herbicides for more information.
2,4-D 300 g/L + Picloram 75 g/L
(Tordon® 75-D)
Rate: 300 mL/ha
Comments: Boom spray application for young rosette or seedling plants.
Withholding period: Do not graze or cut crops (except sugar cane 8 weeks) or pastures for stock food for 7 days after application.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate
2,4-D amine 625 g/L
(Various products)
Rate: 110–170 mL per 150 L of water
Comments: Spot spray application.
Withholding period: 7 days withholding for grazing
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate
2,4-D amine 625 g/L
(Various products)
Rate: 1.1–1.7 L/ha
Comments: Boom application, apply when in rosette stage.
Withholding period: 7 days withholding for grazing
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate
2,4-D LV ester 680g/L
(Estercide® Xtra)
Rate: 800 mL to 2.5 L per ha
Comments: Boom spray application up to rosette stage
Withholding period: Do not graze or cut for stock food for 7 days after application.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate
Clopyralid 600 g/L
(Lontrel® Advanced )
Rate: 125 mL per 100 L water
Comments: Spot spray.
Withholding period: 7 days to 10 weeks see label for details.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate
Clopyralid 600 g/L
with MCPA 500 g/L (Various products)
Rate: 25 mL clopyralid per ha plus MCPA as per label
Comments: Boom spray. Actively growing rosettes; use higher rate on mature plants.
Withholding period: 7 days to 10 weeks see label for details.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate
Fluroxypyr 140 g/L + Aminopyralid 10 g/L
(Various products)
Rate: 500 mL in 100 L water
Comments: Hand gun application on actively growing plants
Withholding period: Not required for pastures when used as directed. Do not graze or cut crops for stock food for 7 days after application. See label for export restrictions.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate
MCPA 340 g/L + Dicamba 80 g/L
(Kamba® M)
Rate: 80 mL per 15 L of water
Comments: For thistle seedlings. Spot spray from a knapsack. A repeat application may be necessary.
Withholding period: Do not graze or cut for stock food for 7 days after application.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate
MCPA 500 g/L
(Various products)
Rate: 100–200 mL in 150 L water
Comments: Spot spray.
Withholding period: Do not graze or cut for stock food for 7 days after application.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate
MCPA 500 g/L
(Various products)
Rate: 1–2 L/ha
Comments: Boom spray. Apply when in rosette stage. Use higher rate for larger weeds.
Withholding period: Do not graze or cut for stock food for 7 days after application.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate
Biosecurity duty
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. |
For technical advice and assistance with identification please contact your local council weeds officer.
Reviewed 2021
