Fumigate with methyl bromide gas approximately 30 hectares of paddocks on up to 87 sites around the Murray Bridge area

Tenders are invited for the provision of fumigation services (approximately 30 hectares of paddocks in various sites) for the Branched Broomrape Eradication Program. Department of Water, Land & Biodiversity Conservation (DWLBC) is managing a Branched Broomrape Eradication Program which will commence in June 2002. Branched broomrape (Orobanche ramosa) is a parasitic weed, which has been found growing in a 70km X 70km area East of Murray Bridge. This infestation is the only known infestation of branched broomrape in Australia. Branched broomrape hosts on a range of broadleaved plants and has the potential to devastate many of Australia’s vegetable and pulse (eg. canola) industries. While branched broomrape will not host on cereal crops it can grow on broadleaf weeds growing in the crop. Many of Australia’s trading partners including the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Iran and the United States have branched broomrape listed as a prohibited import. The export of wheat to these countries represents about 43% of Australia’s total wheat production. For information regarding the tender for the fumigation services contact Bob Manouge, Branched Broomrape Program [phone hidden].