Impact of control strategies on bellyache bush (Jatropha gossypiifolia L.) mortality, seedling recruitment, population dynamics, pasture yield and cost analysis
Faiz F. Bebawi A D , Joseph S. Vitelli B , Shane D. Campbell A and Robert J. Mayer CA Biosecurity Queensland, Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, Tropical Weeds Research Centre, PO Box 187, Charters Towers, Qld 4820, Australia.
B Biosecurity Queensland, Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, Ecosciences Precinct, PO Box 267, Brisbane, Qld 4011, Australia.
C Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, PO Box 1085, Townsville, Qld 4810, Australia.
D Corresponding author. Email: Faiz.Bebawi@deedi.qld.gov.au
The Rangeland Journal 33(3) 277-286 https://doi.org/10.1071/RJ10038
Submitted: 20 July 2010 Accepted: 9 August 2011 Published: 9 September 2011
Abstract
Bellyache bush (Jatropha gossypiifolia L.) is an invasive weed that has the potential to greatly reduce biodiversity and pasture productivity in northern Australia’s rangelands. This paper reports an approach to develop best practice options for controlling medium to dense infestations of bellyache bush using combinations of control methods. The efficacy of five single treatments including foliar spraying, slashing, stick raking, burning and do nothing (control) were compared against 15 combinations of these treatments over 4 successive years. Treatments were evaluated using several attributes, including plant mortality, changes in population demographics, seedling recruitment, pasture yield and cost of treatment.
Foliar spraying once each year for 4 years proved the most cost-effective control strategy, with no bellyache bush plants recorded at the end of the study. Single applications of slashing, stick raking and to a lesser extent burning, when followed up with foliar spraying also led to significantly reduced densities of bellyache bush and changed the population from a growing one to a declining one. Total experimental cost estimates over 4 successive years for treatments where burning, stick raking, foliar spraying, and slashing were followed with foliar spraying were AU$408, AU$584, AU$802 and AU$789 ha–1, respectively. Maximum pasture yield of 5.4 t ha–1 occurred with repeated foliar spraying. This study recommends that treatment combinations using either foliar spraying alone or as a follow up with slashing, stick raking or burning are best practice options following consideration of the level of control, changes in pasture yield and cost effectiveness.
Additional keywords: burning, foliar spraying, slashing, stick raking, treatment combinations.
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