Controlling Soft Rush

Soft Rush often is found growing in permanent pasture or grazing areas. The plants are very quick to establish due to having very fine root systems so can become very a very dominant plant within a paddock.

This becomes an issue as the soft rush plant reduces the grass growth – for every 10% of soft rush coverage there will be 10% grass growth loss. This has a massive effect on various sectors.

To begin with the more soft rush there is growing, the less grazing grass is available to livestock such as horses and cattle. This is due to the fact that soft rush is not overly palatable or digestible and it also has very little nutritional value to the animals so not as good for them to eat as grass. 

Secondly, soft rush also has an effect on the quality of silage that is produced as it is not as easily compacted as grass. As a result of not being able to be compacted down as well, there are areas for mould to grow. This would create a poor end product.

Soft rush can be controlled effectively. June is a good month to start controlling soft rush. The plants should be treated at the pre-flowering stage for best control. Once the plants have been treated, allow for die back and then cut after one month.

Using an MCPA based selective weed killer can help you to gain control over the soft rush while not harming the grass.

• Agritox - to be applied at 3.3L/ha in 200-400L/ha of water (to be applied through a boom sprayer)
• Pasture Master - to be applied at 3.5L/ha in 200-400L/ha of water (to be applied through a boom sprayer)dry or above water. 

Different weeds in the aquatic environment represent different threats & challenges. Some, like Australian Swamp Stonecrop (Crassula helmsii), Curlyleaf pondweed (Potamogeton crispus) & Canadian Pondweed (Elodea canadensis) are invasive thugs, taking over and choking waterways.

They raise water levels and overpower much of the native flora & fauna in the aquatic ecosystem. Other common weeds, such as Bulrushes or Common Reed (Phragmites Australis) grow tall, in large clumps that narrow waterways and affect boating access or angling sports.

However, if emerged leaf is evident, or indeed, the water level could be reduced to expose more of the plant, then Roundup ProActive / Roundup ProVantage sprays can be extremely effective to tackle the invasive growth. Glyphosate works by entry into the plant leaf - it then translocates to the growing points and kills the plant shoots & roots.

Choosing a glyphosate weed killer is highly effective for controlling soft rush however it is important to remember that as it is not a selective weed killer it will kill everything that it is applied for including the grass surrounding it.

For this reason it is important that the glyphosate is applied with a weed wiper to avoid any contact with the grass or by using a knapsack sprayer with a spray shield for targeted application.

• Glyphosate weed killer examples - Roundup ProActive, Roundup ProVantage, Gallup Biodegrade Amenity

We would also recommend when applying a glyphosate weed killer that you mix in our Amvista Blue Marker Dye so that you can see all areas that have been treated.