SOUTH EAST landholders are being advised to educate themselves and their staff on the identification and management of Golden Dodder this summer.
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Golden Dodder (Cuscuta campestris) is a summer growing annual that parasitises broadleaf plants such as Lucerne, vegetables and broadleaf weeds. It grows rapidly, entwining and smothering host vegetation.
The threadlike and leafless stems are yellow in colour, with flowers formed in 3-4mm bell shaped clusters, cream to white colour.
Summer is a high risk time for spreading Dodder, as this is when it germinates and sets seed in as little as three weeks.
Seed can be easily dispersed by livestock, machinery and contaminated produce, such as hay and seed.
Golden Dodder can significantly reduce crop yields as they obtain all their water and nutrients from their host plant and the presence of dodder seed reduces the saleability of seed crops and can contaminate other produce.
To prevent the spread of Golden Dodder, Natural Resources South East says landholders must adhere to the following:
- Do not transport or sell Dodder (or anything containing dodder) in SA;
- Do not bring Dodder (or anything containing Dodder) into the South East region;
- You must notify Natural Resources South East if you have Dodder on your property;
- You must then destroy all Dodder plants on your property.
- If you would like more information on this declared weed, contact the Natural Resources South East Keith office on 8755 1620 or your local Authorised Officer at www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/southeast