ONE of the major reservations farmers have had surrounding Monsanto's Roundup Ready has been surrounding glyphosate resistance - both in in-crop weeds and in canola volunteers the following year.
Monsanto technical development leader, Dave Moore, says although there are issues, both can be managed.
A resistance management plan has been drawn up to help growers keep glyphosate an effective tool.
"The major point is keeping Roundup (glyphosate) effective on weed control - it is just so important for Australian farming systems," Mr Moore says.
He says managing resistant ryegrass will be an issue in Roundup Ready canola, just as it is in other crops depending on a glyphosate knockdown, but that it can be managed.
"Before planting, an assessment of the paddock is made, on the basis of the risk of ryegrass developing resistance."
Mr Moore says farmers entered the herbicide history for the paddock and combined this against the level of resistance to figure out a strategy.
If there is too high a risk of glyphosate resistance, it is recommended growers not plant Roundup Ready.
If Roundup Ready is planted but the paddock is assessed as high risk of resistance, it is recommended that glyphosate is not used at all the following year.
Should the profile be less risky, the application is permitted, along with a prescribed two additional methods of weed control.
If the paddock falls in the low risk category, only one other form of control is required.
"Basically, the take-home is to make every application of herbicide count and make sure you use a variety of different modes of action to control weeds," Mr Moore says.
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