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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 59(3)

Studies of competition between Nassella trichotoma (Nees) Hack. ex Arechav. (serrated tussock) and native pastures. 1. Adult plants

W. B. Badgery A B D , D. R. Kemp B , D. L. Michalk A and W. McG. King C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A NSW Department of Primary Industries, Orange Agricultural Institute, Forest Rd, Orange, NSW 2800, Australia.

B The University of Sydney/Charles Sturt University, Faculty of Rural Management, Leeds Pde, Orange,NSW 2800, Australia.

C AgResearch, Raukura Research Centre, Private Bag 3123, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand.

D Corresponding author. Email: warwick.badgery@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 59(3) 226-236 https://doi.org/10.1071/AR07112
Submitted: 20 March 2007  Accepted: 8 November 2007   Published: 11 March 2008

Abstract

Nassella trichotoma (serrated tussock) is a hardy perennial grass weed that rapidly invades disturbed areas. Pasture competition is an important component of an integrated weed-management system for native pastures. This paper reports on a field experiment to ascertain the level of competition from native grasses for adult N. trichotoma plants. Native grasses prevented N. trichotoma plants from increasing in biomass and basal area when rotationally grazed or when grazing was removed and fertiliser was withheld. Smaller N. trichotoma plants (<500 mm2) were more likely to vary in size with very little change in larger plants. Flupropanate efficiently killed all N. trichotoma plants but caused considerable damage to perennial native species, resulting in an uncompetitive pasture dominated by broadleaf weeds.

Additional keywords: pasture competition, integrated weed management, flupropanate, grazing management, soil fertility.


Acknowledgments

This work was made possible by financial support from the CRC for weed management systems. The authors especially thank Michael and Rosemary Ridley for allowing the research to be conducted on their property. The authors also thank Yohannes Alemsged and Greg Lodge for commenting on the manuscript, and Helen Nicol for statistical advice.


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