Control of Echium plantagineum L.with 2, 4‐D and grazing management

Summary: This paper describes a field experiment conducted in north‐east Victoria investigating the control of Echium plantagineum L. in a pasture with 2, 4–D and grazing management. Spraying with a small dose of 2, 4‐D (0–14 kg a.i./ha) in late autumn/early winter, followed about 2 weeks later by heavy grazing, removed E. plantagineum from the pasture, whilst the associated pasture species, Trifoliutn subierraneum L., was retained. Continuous grazing without spraying also resulted in good control of E. plantagineum . Herbage production of the pasture in winter was, however, reduced by spraying. The reasons underlying these observations, and farm management programmes for the longterm control of E. plantagineum , are discussed.