In recognition of its world-leading research in biological weed control, Charles Sturt University has won a bid to host an international conference in Wagga Wagga in September 2005.

The University competed with Mexico, India, Poland, China and Taiwan to secure the 4th World Congress on Allelopathy, announced recently in Japan at the 3rd World Congress.

Allelopathy is the study of chemicals produced by plants and their effects on other plants. 

Charles Sturt University’s innovative allelopathy research focuses on finding alternative non-chemical solutions for weed management in crops, including wheat and rice. 

The University’s researchers are among the few leading scientists worldwide to use advanced techniques to identify natural compounds in plants for potential use as natural herbicides. 

Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture Professor Jim Pratley said the selection of CSU for the conference recognised it as one of the leading centres in the world in allelopathy research.

“Through the study of these processes, we hope to reduce our dependence on pesticides and provide answers to the challenge of herbicide resistance,” Professor Pratley said.

The CSU delegation in Japan was led by Professor Pratley, senior lecturer Dr Terry Haig, research fellow Dr Hanwen Wu and PhD student Alexa Seal. They were joined by Dr Rick Willis from the University of Melbourne.

Professor Pratley becomes Chair of the Organising Committee and Vice-President of the International Allelopathy Society.

The University’s allelopathy research group has previously gained recognition within CSU, being awarded the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Research Excellence in 2000.

The conference will be a boon to the city of Wagga Wagga, which will be host for a week to more than 200 delegates from more than 50 countries.