There are many people who associate Blackberry with foods like, Blackberry jam or Blackberry pie, but! around the central west of NSW and now so many other locations it is a noxious weed.
The type of Blackberry for human consumption commercially is the thornless variety (Rubus ulmifolius) which is not a treat to land owners. The common wild species (with thorns, Rubus fruticosus) is a menace and is taking over Paddocks, Hillsides and Creek/River systems.
Blackberry is spread by birds, stock, and when the plant goes into dormancy which drops fruit.
But it’s not all doom and gloom! because Blackberry is quite treatable, and Spray drones are an excellent machine to do just that.
For me personally, Blackberry has been the most common weed I have treated via Spray drone and it’s what I cut my teeth on.
With my T40 Spray drone, there are several modes perfectly suited to treating Blackberry.
If the bushes are close together or carpeted in small amounts, I use “Manual Plus” which is a semi automated grid pattern mode.
If the Blackberry infestation is large and scattered, the site most likely has to be mapped. Mapping is essential for the fully automated modes to be performed with my T40 Spray drone.
Full automation not only makes it more efficient, but also accurate.
There are basically two fully automated modes commonly used when treating Blackberry, which are created using software called “Terra”.
“Fully automated grid pattern” is great for spraying large carpeted sections, which are over 7 metres in diametre. Because Blackberry requires large volumes of herbicide, grid mode is the best way to treat several hectares, per hour.
“Rotary Spraying” mode uses the plants centre as a target and hovers over it whilst rotating. Once the predefined amount of herbicide has been sprayed, the Spray drone moves on to the next target. With Rotary mode the T40 Spray Drone can treat about 60 targets per hour.
Checkout Rotary mode!
In terms of which herbicides we use, it’s totally up to the client, because it really depends on what you wish to achive. But the most common ones are “Grazon Extra” (or generic equivalents), Metsulfuron methyl (Aka “Brushoff”) and good old Glyphosate.
If treating Blackberry in or near aquatic situations, it is recommended to use an aquatic safe product such as “Weedmaster duo”.
Interested in getting some Blackberry Treated? feel free to contact us to find out more.
