A National program to improve awareness and adoption of best management  practice for silverleaf nightshade control

Silverleaf nightshade (SLN) is recognised as one of the world’s worst agricultural weeds that competes directly with spring, summer and autumn growing pastures and crops for moisture, sunlight and nutrients (Stanton et al. 2009). With the aim of benefitting the largest number of growers possible, farm scale participatory on-farm validation sites of best management practice were established with support from state and local agencies, private sector contractors and advisors, and local grower groups.

The participatory research, in conjunction with farmer case studies and a baseline survey targeting 500 growers and advisors (combined) has generated large and diverse baseline information focused on weed prioritisation, appropriateness of information, effective information delivery mechanisms and recommendations for packaging and instruction of weed management. This paper highlights key findings captured for improved adoption of integrated weed management practices.