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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 54(6)

Optimising smoke treatments for jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) forest rehabilitation

Melanie A. Norman A C , Julie A. Plummer B , John M. Koch A and Greg R. Mullins A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Alcoa World Alumina Australia, PO Box 172, Pinjarra, WA 6208, Australia.

B Plant Biology, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.

C Corresponding author. Email: melanie.norman@alcoa.com.au

Australian Journal of Botany 54(6) 571-581 https://doi.org/10.1071/BT05140
Submitted: 18 August 2005  Accepted: 14 February 2006   Published: 15 September 2006

Abstract

Alcoa is undertaking rehabilitation in the jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata D.Don ex Sm.) forest of Western Australia, following bauxite mining. One of the methods used in the rehabilitation program is broadcasting seeds; however, about two-thirds of species require seed-dormancy-breaking treatments. Smoke overcomes dormancy and enhances the germination of many jarrah forest species. Smoke-application methods were investigated to find the best seed treatment for 64 jarrah forest species. The optimum duration of seed imbibition in aqueous smoke and dilution of the aqueous smoke product were also investigated. The method of smoke application was important. Smoke water enhanced the germination of 12% of species, whereas aerosol smoke enhanced the germination of 6% of species. Both Grevillea pilulifera (Lindl.) Druce and Velleia trinervis Labill. had germination enhanced by both smoke-application methods. Aerosol smoke inhibited the germination of Clematis pubescens Endl. and Hypocalymma angustifolium (Endl.) Schauer. A total of 78% of species did not exhibit significantly enhanced germination when smoke treated, including the two species inhibited by smoke treatment. Germination was equivalent following 1- and 12-h imbibition in the aqueous smoke extract. Dilutions of the aqueous extract Regen 2000 Smokemaster from 1 to 3% were optimal for the germination of Marianthus bicolor (Putt.) F.Muell and Stylidium amoenum R.Br., even after subsequent washing with water, demonstrating the irreversible nature of smoke treatments. For species that did not exhibit smoke-enhanced germination, other dormancy-breaking treatments may be required before a response to smoke is elicited. These results have application to a wide variety of natural managed lands, disturbed and designed landscapes.


Acknowledgments

We thank the staff at Alcoa’s Marrinup Nursery and the University of Western Australia’s student laboratory in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences for assisting with experiment preparation. Kings Park and Botanic Gardens are thanked for the use of laboratory facilities.


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Appendix 1.  Fire-response group, viability and incubator and field germination of 64 jarrah forest species
Germination % of total seeds (mean ± s.e.). Within each germination environment (incubator and field), numbers followed by different letters are significantly different (P≤0.05). C, control; S, seeds preimbibed in 1% smoke water for 1 h before sowing; A, seeds aerosol smoked for 1 h before sowing. The fire-response categories used were those suggested by Bell et al. (1984): ephemeral, seeder, autoregenerating long-lived (AL) resprouter, and obligate vegetatively reproducing (OV) resprouter. Recommended treatments indicate statistically significant germination responses
A1A


Appendix 1 cont. 
A1B