Amitrole T On Firebreaks

Amitrole T (250 g/L Amitrole) is a Group Q knockdown herbicide which controls a range of grass and broadleaf weeds.  It has been around for many years, but since the introduction of Glyphosate has seen very little use in agricultural situations.  Its lack of popularity is largely due to price, Amitrole T costs about $12 per litre and is applied at rates of 2.8 to 5.6 L/ha in broad acre situations, a cost of $33 to $67/ha. At this price, Amitole T is unlikely to be used in broad acre situations unless there is no other option.  However, it is a viable alternative to Glyphosate for firebreaks.

Currently, the most successful strategy on firebreaks has been to apply Glyphosate, followed 2-4 weeks later with an application of Paraquat plus a residual herbicide.  While this has been working well, if it becomes standard practice, there will be selection pressure for populations of weeds that are either tolerant or resistant to both Glyphosate and Paraquat.

Rotating Amitrole T with Glyphosate, would increase the sustainability of chemical control of weeds on firebreaks.