Help keep silverleaf nightshade out of southern Yorke Peninsula
The invasive declared weed silverleaf nightshade is poised to infect clean areas of southern Yorke Peninsula without a joint control effort.
The Northern and Yorke Landscape Board is calling for landholders to help stop the spread of the pest plant that can reduce crop yields by up to 70% if allowed to take hold.
Also known as tomato weed, silverleaf nightshade was classified as a Weed of National Significance in 2012. The purple-flowering pest plant robs grain crops of water and nutrients and is costly to eradicate when dense infestations form.
The Board is working with Yorke Peninsula Council and contractors to tackle roadside infestations and encourages landholders to be vigilant for any outbreaks on their property.
“We’ve got an opportunity to keep silverleaf nightshade out of southern Yorke Peninsula, but it’s going to take a combined effort,” said Nick Nicholls, a landscape officer with the Northern and Yorke Landscape Board.
“It’s critical to kill it early, before it has time to grow its huge root system.
“When you see a colony of plants above ground, that’s just the tip of the iceberg with silverleaf nightshade. Below ground the plants are all interlinked by a massive web of roots that make it very difficult and expensive to eradicate.”
Landscape officers have identified new patches of silverleaf nightshade on Yorke Peninsula roadsides this year, most likely caused by last year’s wet summer.
“Right now it’s important to look out for silverleaf nightshade plants around shearing sheds, stock yards, shade trees, trough areas and near gates,” said Nick.
“Controlling these isolated plants early is key. It’s also important to follow stringent farm hygiene practices. Silverleaf nightshade is most commonly spread by seeds eaten by livestock.”
Sheep can carry seed in their stomachs for up to a month, so keep stock away from silverleaf nightshade that is fruiting. If stock is brought in or returning from infested areas, they should be kept for at least 14 days in a holding paddock, which will then need to be monitored for weed seedlings.
More information about silverleaf nightshade and how to control it is available in the Silverleaf Nightshade: Australian Best Practice Management Manual 2018.
View a webinar recorded by the Northern and Yorke Landscape Board, with experts Dr Hanwen Wu and Chris Butler. Landscape officers can also assist in identifying silverleaf nightshade from a native look-alike species. Call (08) 8841 3444.
