Gamba grass (Andropogon gayanus Kunth.) seed persistence and germination temperature tolerance
Faiz F. Bebawi A D , Shane D. Campbell A B and Robert J. Mayer C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Biosecurity Queensland, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Tropical Weeds Research Centre, PO Box 187, Charters Towers, Qld 4820, Australia.
B School of Agriculture and Food Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, Qld 4343, Australia.
C Agri-Science Queensland, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Maroochy Research Station, Mayers Road, Nambour, Qld 4560, Australia.
D Corresponding author. Email: tonigeorgy@onestream.com.au; faiz.bebawi@outlook.com
The Rangeland Journal 40(5) 463-472 https://doi.org/10.1071/RJ17125
Submitted: 5 December 2017 Accepted: 4 July 2018 Published: 30 July 2018
Abstract
Gamba grass (Andropogon gayanus Kunth.) is a highly invasive, naturalised Weed of National Significance in Australia due to its economic, environmental and social impacts. It outcompetes native pastures and fuels intense fires in northern Australian rangelands. To aid management of current infestations and to better understand its potential distribution, this study determined the germination response of gamba grass under a range of constant (13°C−48°C) and alternating (11/7°C–52/42°C) temperature regimes and quantified the potential longevity of soil seed banks. The effect of different soil types, levels of pasture cover and burial depths on seed longevity was investigated in the Dry Tropics of northern Queensland.
Germination of gamba grass occurred under a wide range of both constant (17°C−39°C) and alternating day/night temperatures (16/12°C–47/39°C), although the level of germination declined at the lower and higher temperature ranges. At the cooler temperatures, seed viability was not affected, but seeds went into a state of dormancy. The highest level of seed viability was recorded at the lowest constant temperature regime (13°C) and at the two lowest alternating temperatures (11/7°C and 16/12°C). A gradual but variable decline in viability occurred thereafter with increasing temperatures. At the higher temperature range (e.g. constant temperatures of 39°C−43°C and alternating temperatures of 47/39°C) both dormancy and loss of seed viability were occurring, but once alternating and constant temperatures reached above 47/39°C and 43°C all seeds were rendered unviable after 9 and 6 weeks respectively.
In the Dry Tropics of northern Queensland, viability of seeds was <1% after 12 months and nil after 24 months, irrespective of soil type or vegetation cover. However, burial depth had a significant effect, with surface located seeds exhibiting a faster rate of decline in germination and viability than seeds buried below ground (i.e. 2.5–10 cm). These findings have implications for the duration of control/eradication programs (i.e. seed persistence) and also suggest that gamba grass has the potential to greatly expand its current distribution into the relatively cooler southern latitude areas of Australia.
Additional keywords: burial depth, dormancy, soil type, temperature regimes, vegetation cover, viability.
References
Adams, V. M., and Setterfield, S. A. (2016). Approaches to strategic risk analysis and management of invasive plants: lessons learned from managing gamba grass in northern Australia. Pacific Conservation Biology 22, 189–200.| Approaches to strategic risk analysis and management of invasive plants: lessons learned from managing gamba grass in northern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Andersen, A. W. (1953). Germination of buffel grass seed. Proceedings of the Association of Official Seed Analysis 43, 72–82.
Australian Weeds Committee (2013). Weeds of National Significance Gamba Grass (Andropogon gayanus) Strategic Plan. Australian Weeds Committee, Canberra.
AVH (2017). Australia’s Virtual Herbarium. Council of Heads of Australasian Herbaria. Available at: http://avh.chah.org.au (accessed 17 November 2017).
Banovetz, S. J., and Scheiner, S. M. (1994). Secondary seed dormancy in Coreopsis lanceolata. American Midland Naturalist 131, 75–83.
| Secondary seed dormancy in Coreopsis lanceolata.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Barrow, P. (1995). The ecology and management of gamba grass (Andropogon gayanus Kunth.). Final report to the Australian Nature Conservation Agency. NT Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Darwin.
Baskin, C. C., and Baskin, J. M. (2001). ‘Seeds: Ecology, Biogeography, and Evolution of Dormancy and Germination.’ (Academic Press: San Diego, CA.)
Bebawi, F. F., Campbell, S. D., and Mayer, R. J. (2015). Seed bank longevity and age to reproductive maturity of Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T. Aiton in the dry tropics of northern Queensland. The Rangeland Journal 37, 239–247.
| Seed bank longevity and age to reproductive maturity of Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T. Aiton in the dry tropics of northern Queensland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bhatt, R. K., Baig, M. J., and Tiwari, H. S. (2007). Growth, biomass production, and assimilatory characters in Cenchrus ciliaris L. under elevated CO2 condition. Photosynthetica 45, 296–298.
| Growth, biomass production, and assimilatory characters in Cenchrus ciliaris L. under elevated CO2 condition.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
BOM (2016). Mean annual rainfall and maximum and minimum daily temperature ranges. Available at: www.bom.gov.au (accessed 9 August 2016).
Bowden, B. N. (1964). Studies on Andropogon gayanus Kunth. III. An outline of its biology. Journal of Ecology 52, 255–271.
| Studies on Andropogon gayanus Kunth. III. An outline of its biology.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Brooks, K. J., Setterfield, S. A., and Douglas, M. M. (2010). Exotic grass invasions: applying a conceptual framework to the dynamics of degradation and restoration in Australia’s tropical savannas. Restoration Ecology 18, 188–197.
| Exotic grass invasions: applying a conceptual framework to the dynamics of degradation and restoration in Australia’s tropical savannas.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Campbell, S. D. (1995). Plant mechanisms that influence the balance between Heteropogon contortus and Aristida ramosa in spring burnt pastures. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
Campbell, S. D., and Grice, A. C. (2000). Weed biology: a foundation for weed management. Tropical Grasslands 34, 271–279.
Cook, B., Pengelly, B. C., Brown, S. D., Donnelly, J. L., Eagles, D. A., Franco, M. A., Hanson, J., Mullen, B. F., Partridge, I. J., Peters, M., and Schultz-Kraft, R. (2005). ‘Tropical forages: an interactive selection tool.’ (CD-ROM). (CSIRO, DAF (Qld), CIAT and ILRI: Brisbane.)
Csurhes, S. (2005). An assessment of the potential impact of Andropogon gayanus (gamba grass) on the economy, environment and people of Queensland. Queensland Department of Natural Resources, Brisbane.
Csurhes, S., and Hannan-Jones, M. (2008). Pest plant risk assessment gamba grass Andropogon gayanus. Biosecurity Queensland, Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Queensland Government, Brisbane.
Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (2010). Question and Answer: How does the listing of gamba grass and four other grasses as a key threatening process affect me? Department of the Environment and Energy, Australian Government. Available at: www.environment.gov.au (accessed 16 August 2017).
Dieng, A., Buldgen, A., and Compere, R. (1991). Temporary fodder crops of Andropogon gayanus Kunth, var. bisquamulatus, in the Sahelo-sudanese region of Senegal. 1. Systematics, morphology, dispersal and biology of the cultivated variety. Bulletin des recherches agronomiques de Gembloux 26, 279–296.
Dodd, A. J., Ainsworth, N., Burgman, M. A., and McCarthy, M. A. (2015). Plant extirpation at the site scale: implications for eradication programmes. Diversity & Distributions 21, 151–162.
| Plant extirpation at the site scale: implications for eradication programmes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
DSEWPC (2011). ‘Background: Threat Abatement Plan to Reduce the Impacts on Northern Australia’s Biodiversity by the Five Listed Grasses.’ (Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Australian Government, Commonwealth of Australia: Canberra, ACT.)
Felippe, G. M., Silva, J. C. S., and Cardoso, V. J. M. (1983). Germination studies in Andropogon gayanus Kunth. Revista Brasiliera de Botanica 6, 41–48.
Fenner, M., and Thompson, K. (2005). ‘The Ecology of Seeds.’ (Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, UK.)
Flores, T. A., Setterfield, S. A., and Douglas, M. M. (2005). Seedling recruitment of the exotic grass Andropogon gayanus (Poaceae) in Northern Australia. Australian Journal of Botany 53, 243–249.
| Seedling recruitment of the exotic grass Andropogon gayanus (Poaceae) in Northern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Friedel, M., Bastin, G., Brock, C., Butler, D. W., Clarke, A., Eyre, T. J., Fox, J., Grice, T., Van Leeuwen, S., Pitt, J. P. W., Piuckey, H., and Smyth, A. (2007). Developing a research agenda for the distribution and rate of spread of Buffel Grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) and identification of landscapes and biodiversity assets at most risk from invasion. A report to the Department of the Environment and Water Resources, CSIRO, Alice Springs, NT.
Gardener, M., Whalley, R., and Sindel, B. (2003). Ecology of Nassella neesiana, Chilean needle grass, in pastures on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales. 1. Seedbank dynamics, seed germination and seedling recruitment. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 54, 621–626.
| Ecology of Nassella neesiana, Chilean needle grass, in pastures on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales. 1. Seedbank dynamics, seed germination and seedling recruitment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gobius, N. R., Phaikaew, C., Pholsen, P., Rodchompoo, O., and Susena, W. (2001). Seed yield and its components of Brachiaria decumbens cv. Basilisk, Digitaria milanjiana cv. Jarra and Andropogon gayanus cv. Kent in north-east Thailand under different rates of nitrogen application. Tropical Grasslands 35, 26–33.
Grice, A. C., and Martin, T. G. (2005). The management of weeds and their impact on biodiversity in the rangelands. The CRC for Australian Weed Management, Townsville, Qld.
Groves, R. H., Hagon, M. W., and Ramakrishnan, P. S. (1982). Dormancy and germination of seed of eight populations of Themeda australis. Australian Journal of Botany 30, 373–386.
| Dormancy and germination of seed of eight populations of Themeda australis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gutterman, Y. (1994). Strategies of seed dispersal and germination in plants inhabiting deserts. Botanical Review 60, 373–425.
| Strategies of seed dispersal and germination in plants inhabiting deserts.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Harper, J. L. (1957). Biological flora of the British Isles, Ranunculus acris L., Ranunculus repens L., Ranunculus bulbosus L. Journal of Ecology 45, 289–342.
| Biological flora of the British Isles, Ranunculus acris L., Ranunculus repens L., Ranunculus bulbosus L.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Harper, J. L. (1977). ‘Population Biology of Plants.’ (Academic Press: London, UK.)
Harrison, P. G. (1987). Gamba grass – Management for seed production. Agnote No. 256, December 1987. Department of Industries and Development, Northern Territory of Australia, Darwin.
Holmgren, M., Stapp, P., Dickman, C. R., Gracia, C., Graham, S., Guitierrez, J. R., Hice, C., Jaksic, F., Kelt, D. A., Letnic, M., Lima, M., López, B. C., Meserve, P. L., Bryan Milstead, W., Polis, G. A., Andrea Previtali, M., Richter, M., Sabaté, S., and Squeo, F. A. (2006). Extreme climatic events shape arid and semiarid ecosystems. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 4, 87–95.
| Extreme climatic events shape arid and semiarid ecosystems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kean, L., and Price, O. (2003). ‘The extent of Mission grasses and Gamba Grass in the Darwin region of Australia’s Northern Territory. Pacific Conservation Biology 8, 1–10.
Keir, A. F., and Vogler, W. D. (2006). A review of current knowledge of the weedy species Themeda quadrivalvis (grader grass). Tropical Grasslands 40, 193–201.
Kos, M., and Poschlod, P. (2007). Seeds use temperature cues to ensure germination under nurse-plant shade in xeric Kalahari savannah. Annals of Botany 99, 667–675.
| Seeds use temperature cues to ensure germination under nurse-plant shade in xeric Kalahari savannah.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lodge, G. M., and Whalley, R. D. B. (1981). Establishment of warm and cool season native perennial grasses on the north-west slopes of New South Wales: 1. Dormancy and germination. Australian Journal of Botany 29, 111–119.
| Establishment of warm and cool season native perennial grasses on the north-west slopes of New South Wales: 1. Dormancy and germination.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McIntyre, S., McIvor, J. G., and Heard, K. M. (2004). ‘Managing and Conserving Grassy Woodlands.’ (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne.)
McIvor, J. G., and Reid, D. J. (2011). Germination characteristics of tropical and sub-tropical rangeland species. The Rangeland Journal 33, 195–208.
| Germination characteristics of tropical and sub-tropical rangeland species.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McKeon, G. M., Rose, C. W., Kalma, J. D., and Torssell, B. W. R. (1985). Pasture seed dynamics in a dry monsoonal climate. 1. Germination and seedbed environment of Stylosanthes humilis and Digitaria ciliaris. Australian Journal of Ecology 10, 135–147.
| Pasture seed dynamics in a dry monsoonal climate. 1. Germination and seedbed environment of Stylosanthes humilis and Digitaria ciliaris.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Moore, R. P. (1985). ‘Handbook on Tetrazolium Testing.’ (International Seed Testing Association: Zurich, Switzerland.)
Mott, J. J. (1978). Dormancy and germination in five native grass species from savanna woodland communities of the Northern Territory. Australian Journal of Botany 26, 621–631.
| Dormancy and germination in five native grass species from savanna woodland communities of the Northern Territory.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mott, J. J., McKeon, G. M., Gardener, C. J., and ‘t Mannetje, L. (1981). Geographic variation in the reduction of hard seed content of Stylosanthes seeds in the tropics and subtropics of northern Australia. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 32, 861–869.
| Geographic variation in the reduction of hard seed content of Stylosanthes seeds in the tropics and subtropics of northern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Nicholls, N., and Collins, D. (2006). Observed change in Australia over the past century. Energy & Environment 17, 1–12.
| Observed change in Australia over the past century.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Northern Territory Government (2010). Weed Management Plan for Andropogon gayanus (Gamba Grass) 2010. Available at: www.nt.gov.au/gamba/AnnexureB (accessed 16 August 2017).
Northern Territory Government (2017). Gamba grass. Northern Territory Government of Australia. Available at: https://nt.gov.au/environment/weeds/list-of-declared-weeds-in-the-nt/gamba-grass (accessed 28 August 2016).
Oram, R. N. (1990). ‘Register of Australian Herbage Plant Cultivars.’ 3rd edn. (Australian Herbage Plant Registration Authority, Division of Plant Industry, CSIRO: Melbourne.)
Panetta, F. D. (2004). Seed banks: the bane of the weed eradicator. In: ‘Proceedings 14th Australian Weeds Conference’. Wagga Wagga, NSW. (Eds B. M. Sindel and S. B. Johnson.) pp. 523–526. (Weed Science Society of New South Wales: Sydney.)
Panetta, F. D., Cacho, O., Hester, S., Sims-Chilton, N., and Brooks, S. (2011). Estimating and influencing the duration of weed eradication programmes. Journal of Applied Ecology 48, 980–988.
| Estimating and influencing the duration of weed eradication programmes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Queensland Government (2016). Factsheet: Gamba grass Andropogon gayanus. The State of Queensland, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. Available at: www.biosecurity.qld.gov.au (accessed 16 August 2017).
Reid, P. A., and Miller, I. L. (1970). New grasses for the Top End: Gamba grass. Turnoff 2, 26–27.
Rossiter, N. A., Setterfield, S. A., Douglas, M. M., and Hutley, L. B. (2003). Testing the grass-fire cycle: alien grass invasion in the tropical savannas of northern Australia. Diversity & Distributions 9, 169–176.
| Testing the grass-fire cycle: alien grass invasion in the tropical savannas of northern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Rossiter, N., Setterfield, S., Douglas, M., Hutley, L., and Cook, G. (2004). Exotic grass invasion in the tropical savanna of northern Australia: ecosystem consequences. In: ‘Proceedings 14th Australian Weeds Conference’. Wagga Wagga, NSW. (Eds B. M. Sindel and S. B. Johnson.) pp. 168–171. (Weed Science Society of New South Wales: Sydney.)
Rossiter-Rachor, N., Setterfield, S., Douglas, M., Hutley, L. B., Cook, G., and Schmidt, S. (2009). Invasive Andropogon gayanus (gamba grass) is an ecosystem transformer of nitrogen relations in Australian savanna. Ecological Applications 19, 1546–1560.
| Invasive Andropogon gayanus (gamba grass) is an ecosystem transformer of nitrogen relations in Australian savanna.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Setterfield, S. A., Bellairs, S., Douglas, M. M., and Calnan, T. (2004). Seed bank dynamics of two exotic grass species in Australia’s northern savannas. In: ‘Proceedings 14th Australian Weeds Conference’. Wagga Wagga, NSW. (Eds B. M. Sindel and S. B. Johnson.) pp. 555–557. (Weed Science Society of New South Wales: Sydney.)
Setterfield, S. A., Rossiter-Rachor, N. A., Hutley, L. B., Douglas, M. M., and Williams, R. J. (2010). Turning up the heat: the impacts of Andropogon gayanus (gamba grass) invasion on fire behaviour in Northern Australian savannas. Diversity & Distributions 16, 854–861.
| Turning up the heat: the impacts of Andropogon gayanus (gamba grass) invasion on fire behaviour in Northern Australian savannas.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Thompson, K., Bakker, J. P., and Bekker, R. M. (1997). ‘Soil Seed Banks of NW Europe: Methodology, Density and Longevity.’ (Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, UK.)
Tropical Forages (2017). Factsheet – Andropogon gayanus. Available at: www.tropicalforages.info/key/Forages/Media/Html/Andropogon_gayanus.htm (accessed 28 August 2017).
Vogler, W., and Bahnisch, L. (2002). The seed ecology of giant rat’s tail grass: implications for management. In: ‘Proceedings 7th Queensland Weed Symposium’. Emerald, Qld, 24–27 June. (The Weed Society of Queensland: Brisbane.)
Vogler, W. D., and Bahnisch, L. M. (2006). Effect of growing site, moisture stress and seed size on viability and dormancy of Sporobolus pyramidalis (giant rat’s tail grass) seed. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 46, 1473–1479.
| Effect of growing site, moisture stress and seed size on viability and dormancy of Sporobolus pyramidalis (giant rat’s tail grass) seed.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Walker, S., Wilson, B., Wu, H., Widderick, M., and Taylor, L. (2006). Weed seed persistence with changing farming practices in southern Queensland. In: ‘Proceedings 15th Australian Weeds Conference’. (Eds C. Preston, J. H. Watts and N. D. Crossman.) pp. 343–346. (Weed Management Society of South Australia: Adelaide.)
Western Australia Government (2017). Gamba grass: declared pest. Department of Agriculture and Food, West Australia Government. Available at: www.agric.wa.au/declared-plants/gamba-grass-declared-pest (accessed 29 August 2017).
