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COMMERCIALISATION : DPI's new Bio-herbicide

COMMERCIALISATION : DPI'S BIO- HERBICIDE

The challenge:  Bathurst Burr is a highly invasive weed in Australia. This and other weeds cost Australia more than $5 billion each year in control measures and lost production. Herbicide control works but can have drift, contamination and resistance issues. Herbicides can also have long term production and human safety concerns.

The approach:  Biological herbicides have naturally occurring fungus spores which kill invasive weeds like Bathurst burr. To do so, almost all current bioherbicides need dew or moisture to activate them. Leading a DPI team,  Dr Stephen Johnson, a weed ecologist added a chemical to Triple B to overcome this limitation and deliver control in many more situations. This new bio-herbicide delivery method which  also opens up a vastly wider range of weed control opportunities.

The outcomes: DPI has created "Triple B"  kills Bathurst burr using a natural and effective control method.DPI is exploring this method to kill a wider range of weeds naturally with a commercialising  process currently underway.

The impact: DPI is fast-tracking this technology to allow natural, safe and effective control of Bathurst burr and to expand the use of biological herbicides and pesticides globally. This product provides farmers with another tool to combat the worldwide problem of herbicide resistance.