Reproductive Development and Seedling Establishment of Aristida ramosa R.Br. in Northern New South Wales.

Abstract

The reproductive development and seedling recruitment of Aristida rarnosa R.Br. \vas studied under field conditions at six sites on the Northern Tablelands and Northwestern Slopes of New South Wales. A. rarnosu is an undesirable species in pastures because of its low palatability and the propensity of its seeds for causing fleece contamination and mechanical injury to stock. All tillers ofA. vanlosa plants appear to be potentially reproductive and the extensive tiller branching means that each tiller has a high probability of completing the reproductive cycle. Individual plants, therefore, have a high potential for seed production. 'The majority of the seed production occurred in March averaged over all sis sites. Seedlings appeared in each one of the 20 months of observation when the results from all sites were added together, with the majority of seedlings appearing in the spring and autumn. Autumn seedlings had the greatest chance of becoming established at the lower, more western sites while spring seedlings survived best on the Tablelands. The results are discussed with respect to devising pasture management strategies aimed at reducing the abundance of A. wrnosa.