Studies of competition between Nassella trichotoma (Nees) Hack. ex Arechav. (serrated tussock) and native pastures. 2. Seedling responses
W. B. Badgery A B D , D. R. Kemp B , D. L. Michalk A and W. McG. King CA NSW Department of Primary Industries, Orange Agricultural Institute, Forest Rd, Orange, NSW 2800, Australia.
B The University of Sydney/Charles Sturt University, School 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) 237-246 https://doi.org/10.1071/AR07113
Submitted: 20 March 2007 Accepted: 8 November 2007 Published: 11 March 2008
Abstract
Native perennial grass competition can substantially reduce the invasion of Nassella trichotoma (serrated tussock), a major perennial grass weed problem in south-eastern Australia. This paper reports on a field experiment that investigated the recruitment of N. trichotoma seedlings, and determined what level of native grass competition was needed to prevent establishment in the central-west of NSW. Grasslands that maintained >2 t dry matter (DM)/ha and 100% ground cover (measured in spring) prevented N. trichotoma seedling recruitment. Relatively small amounts of perennial grass (>0.5 t DM/ha measured in spring) resulted in mortality of N. trichotoma seedlings that had recruited earlier in the year, through the next summer. Flupropanate also markedly reduced native perennial grasses and substantially increased N. trichotoma seedling establishment 12 months after application. Rotational grazing to maintain adequate levels of DM was an important management tactic that prevented N. trichotoma establishment and survival.
Additional keywords: pasture competition, integrated weed management, flupropanate, grazing management, seedling establishment, seedling mortality.
Acknowledgments
This work was financially supported by the CRC for weed management systems. The authors especially thank Michael and Rosemary Ridley for allowing the research to be conducted on their property. In addition, the authors thank Yohannes Alemsged and Greg Lodge for commenting on an earlier draft of the manuscript, and Helen Nicol for statistical advice.
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