Abstract
Weed risk assessment systems are used to estimate the potential weediness or invasiveness of introduced species in non-agricultural habitats. However, an equivalent system has not been developed for weed species that occur in agronomic cropland. Therefore, the Agricultural Weed Assessment Calculator (AWAC) was developed to quantify the present and potential future adverse impact of a weed species on crop production and profitability (threat analysis), thereby informing or directing research, development, and extension (RDE) investments or activities. AWAC comprises 10 questions related primarily to a weed’s abundance and economic impact. Twenty weed species from across Australia were evaluated by AWAC using existing information and expert opinion, and rated as high, medium, or low for RDE prioritization based on total scores of 70 to 100, 40 to <70, or <40, respectively. Five species were rated as high (e.g., Lolium rigidum Gaud.), eight were rated as medium (e.g., Conyza spp.), and seven were rated as low (e.g., Rapistrum rugosum L.). Scores were consistent with the current state of knowledge of the species’ impact on grain crop production in Australia. AWAC estimated the economic or agronomic threat of 20 major or minor agricultural weeds from across Australia. The next phase of development is the testing of AWAC by weed practitioners (e.g., agronomists, consultants, farmers) to verify its utility and robustness in accurately assessing these and additional weed species.
Highlights
The Australian weed risk assessment system [1] and systems adapted from it have been widely used to evaluate the possible risk of adverse impacts from introductions of alien plants [2]
This system has been highly successful in Australia, with recent economic analysis suggesting use of the system was profitable within a decade and will save up to AUD 1.8 billion over 50 years, due to exclusion of species posing a biosecurity risk [3]
Winter cropping (April to October) dominates in the western and southern regions of Australia with land commonly fallowed in the hotter, drier summer period (November to March), whereas both winter and summer crops are commonly grown in the northern region [11]
Summary
The Australian weed risk assessment system [1] and systems adapted from it have been widely used to evaluate the possible risk of adverse impacts from introductions of alien plants [2]. Species with an overall score of less than one are rated as acceptable for introduction, those scoring greater than six are rejected, and those scoring between one and six require further evaluation. This system has been highly successful in Australia, with recent economic analysis suggesting use of the system was profitable within a decade and will save up to AUD 1.8 billion over 50 years, due to exclusion of species posing a biosecurity risk [3].
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