Annual Ryegrass (Lolium rigidum), Wild Oats (Avena spp.) and Sowthistle (Sonchus oleraceus) Are the Most Commonly Occurring Weeds in New South Wales Cropping Fields

Weeds are a major impediment to crop and pasture production profitability in Australian farming systems, knowledge of their occurrence is vital devising weed management solutions. This study examined the relationships between species from observations made during surveys randomly selected fields grain and/or production. Between 2013 2017, 996 across New South Wales (NSW) were surveyed record density species. Annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) (69% fields), wild oats (Avena spp.) (60%), sowthistle (Sonchus oleraceus) (34%) most common identified, with total 65 recorded be occurring NSW cropping fields. Densities weeds low, at one plant per square metre or less. Multiple recorded, varying survey regions; for example, Avena sterilis subsp. ludoviciana was more prevalent north fatua south. Differences noted this those previously conducted NSW, marked increases annual sowthistle, attributed change practices periods. The variable distribution patterns systems allows informed decision-making regarding research development planning.