Weed management in tea tree oil plantations

We are completing a 12 month scoping study (2019-2020) to identify weed impact, management issues and research, development and extension (RD&E) priorities for Australia’s tea tree oil (TTO) industry.

Tea tree production

Weeds are a persistent problem in this industry, and the potential for a range of weed species to establish and compete with the crop is high.

Herbicides have been a mainstay of weed control in tea tree plantations, though their longer-term sustainability is threatened by a handful of intractable weed species, the relatively small range of registered products, herbicide resistance risk, and the potential for weeds and herbicide residues to contaminate TTO.

As a first step for the industry, it is crucial to identify the RD&E priorities that may further improve these practices. The longer-term aim is to develop and encourage sustainable Integrated Weed Management (IWM) practices within the industry.

With these goals in mind, current TTO weed management practices, their limitations, and the extent of the weed problem need to be understood further. These will be the key objectives of this scoping study, which is funded by AgriFutures Australia.

Tea Tree CropProject Activities

To meet these objectives, we are completing a range of activities:

  • a comprehensive literature review of weed management in Melaleuca production and similar perennial farming systems, including innovative practices;
  • in-depth interviews and focus group discussions completed with selected TTO producers and key industry experts in the two main production regions (Northern Rivers, NSW; Atherton Tablelands, Qld); and
  • consultation with herbicide companies and the APVMA regarding off-label herbicide options.

This study will provide a clearer direction for future research and TTO producer education activities regarding weed management.

We welcome feedback from anyone in the industry who wishes to share their knowledge.

Contact Us

For further information about the project, please contact:

Paul Kristiansen
Associate Professor in Agricultural Systems
Agronomy and Soil Science
School of Environmental and Rural Science
University of New England
Armidale NSW 2351

Phone: +61 2 6773 2962
Fax:+61 2 6773 3238
Email: paul.kristiansen@une.edu.au