Herbicide Resistant Weeds

HERBICIDE RESISTANT WEEDS IN AUSTRALIA

Grass weeds Groups Sites
African lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula) 0 8
Annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) 1

2

3

5

9

13

15

22

34

>30,000

>30,000

>5000

>50

>2000

3

>100

>100

3

Annual veldtgrass (Ehrharta longiflora) 1 6
Awnless barnyard grass (Echinochloa colona) 9 >500
Barnyard grass (Echinochloa crus-galli) 1

2

5

2

1

1

Barley grass (Hordeum spp.) 1

2

9

22

>200

>200

8

>100

Brome grass (Bromus spp.) 1

2

5

9

>200

>1000

1

5

(large) crab grass (Digitaria sanguinalis) 1

2

2

1

Crowsfoot grass (Eluesine indica) 1

22

1

5

Feathertop Rhodes grass (Chloris virgata) 9 >2000
Giant Parramatta grass (Sporobolus fertilis) 0 6
Johnson grass (Sorghum halepense) 9 1
Lesser canary grass (Phalaris minor) 12

 

20

10

Liverseed grass (Urochloa panicoides) 5

9

7

4

Paradoxa grass (Phalaris paradoxa) 1

2

7

4

Serrated tussock (Nassella trichotoma) 0 32
Silver grass (Vulpia bromoides) 5

22

3

1

Sweet summer grass (Brachiaria eruciformis) 9 15
Wild oat (Avena spp.) 1

2

9

0

>5000

>200

2

>200

Windmill grass (Chloris truncata) 9 13
Winter grass (Poa annua) 1

2

3

5

9

15

22

31

3

20

>100

10

10

10

3

 

Broadleaf weeds Groups Sites
African turnip weed (Sisymbrium thellungii) 2 2
Arrowhead (Sagittaria montevidensis) 2 20
Black bindweed (Fallopia convolvulus) 2 2
Black nightshade (Solanum nigrum) 22 2
Bedstraw (Galium tricornutum) 2 3
Calomba daisy (Pentzia suffruticosa) 2 2
Capeweed (Arctotheca calendula) 4

9

12

22

25

2

1

1

Charlock (Sinapis arvensis) 2 2
Common sowthistle (Sonchus oleraceus) 2

4

9

>10,000

>100

>100

Dense-flowered fumitory (Fumaria densiflora) 3 2
Dirty dora (Cyperus difformis) 2 >50
Iceplant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum) 2 2
Fleabane (Conyza bonariensis) 2

22

9

>100

10

>2000

Indian hedge mustard (Sisymbrium orientale) 2

4

5

12

>1000

>50

16

>50

Lesser Jack (Emex spinosa)* 2 2
Lincoln weed (Diplotaxis tenuifolia) 2 20
Paddy melon (Cucumis myriocarpus)* 4 1
Paterson’s curse (Echium plantagineum) 29

 

2

1

Pennsylvania cudweed (Gamochaeta pensylvanica) 22 1
Prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola) 2

9

>2000

1

Shepherd’s purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) 2

4

12

1

1

1

Small square weed (Mitracarpus hirtus) 22 1
Starfruit (Damasonium minus) 2 5
Stinging nettle (Urtica urens) 5 1
Tall fleabane (Conyza sumatrensis) 9  
Tridax (Tridax procumbens) 9  
Turnip weed (Rapistrum rugosum) 2  
Wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum) 2

4

5

9

12

27

29

>5000

>1000

>20

3

>1000

1

2

Wild turnip (Brassica tournefortii) 2 >100
Willow-leaved lettuce (Lactuca saligna) 9 2
Winged Slender Thistle (Carduus tenuiflorus) 4 2

*In 2025, one new species with resistance to herbicides was identified. These were two populations of Lesser Jack (Emex spinosa) identified which were resistant to Group 2.

Notes

  • Croplife acknowledges the assistance of Professor Chris Preston (University of Adelaide) in compiling this list. If you suspect a case of herbicide resistance that is not on this list, please notify Prof. Preston at preston@adelaide.edu.au so that he can maintain a register of herbicide resistance in Australia..
  • Further information can be found at the International Herbicide-Resistant Weed Database, https://www.weedscience.org/.
  • The numerical herbicide Mode of Action classification system was fully implemented at the end of 2024. For further information and guidance about the update, see https://www.croplife.org.au/media/industry-news/moa/

 


URL: https://croplife.org.au/resources/programs/resistance-management/herbicide-resistant-weeds-list/
Content last updated: June 26, 2025

CropLife Australia’s Resistance Management Strategies provide a guide for crop protection product rotation through product groups. The strategies are a useful tool that supports farmers’ adoption of resistance management. All crop protection products must be handled and applied strictly as specified on the product label or APVMA permits.

These Resistance Management Strategies do not replace product labels. They are a guide only and do not endorse particular products, groups of products or cultural methods in terms of their performance. It is important to check with the Australian regulator’s (APVMA) product database for contemporary information on products and active constituents. The database can be sourced through www.apvma.gov.au

The information given in this strategy is provided in good faith and without any liability for loss or damage suffered as a result of its application and use. Advice given in this strategy is valid as at 26 June 2025. All previous versions of this strategy are now invalid.