Register      Login
The Rangeland Journal The Rangeland Journal Society
Journal of the Australian Rangeland Society
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Persistence of bellyache bush (Jatropha gossypifolia L.) soil seed banks

Faiz F. Bebawi A C , Shane D. Campbell A and Robert J. Mayer B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Biosecurity Queensland, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Tropical Weeds Research Centre, PO Box 187, Charters Towers, Qld 4820, Australia.

B Agri-Science Queensland, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, PO Box 1085, Townsville, Qld 4810, Australia.

C Corresponding author. Email: Faiz.Bebawi@daff.qld.gov.au

The Rangeland Journal 34(4) 429-438 https://doi.org/10.1071/RJ12051
Submitted: 2 August 2012  Accepted: 13 November 2012   Published: 17 December 2012

Abstract

Bellyache bush (Jatropha gossypifolia L.) is an invasive shrub that adversely impacts agricultural and natural systems of northern Australia. While several techniques are available to control bellyache bush, depletion of soil seed banks is central to its management. A 10-year study determined the persistence of intact and ant-discarded bellyache bush seeds buried in shade cloth packets at six depths (ranging from 0 to 40 cm) under both natural rainfall and rainfall-excluded conditions. A second study monitored changes in seedling emergence over time, to provide an indication of the natural rate of seed bank depletion at two sites (rocky and heavy clay) following the physical removal of all bellyache bush plants.

Persistence of seed in the burial trial varied depending on seed type, rainfall conditions and burial depth. No viable seeds of bellyache bush remained after 72 months irrespective of seed type under natural rainfall conditions. When rainfall was excluded seeds persisted for much longer, with a small portion (0.4%) of ant-discarded seeds still viable after 120 months. Seed persistence was prolonged (>96 months to decline to <1% viability) at all burial depths under rainfall-excluded conditions. In contrast, under natural rainfall, surface located seeds took twice as long (70 months) to decline to 1% viability compared with buried seeds (35 months). No seedling emergence was observed after 58 months and 36 months at the rocky and heavy clay soil sites, respectively. These results suggest that the required duration of control programs on bellyache bush may vary due to the effect of biotic and abiotic factors on persistence of soil seed banks.

Additional keywords: burial conditions, seedling emergence, seed longevity.


References

Aranda-Rickert, A., and Fracchia, S. (2011). Pogonomyrmex cunicularius as the keystone disperser of elaiosome-bearing Jatropha excisa seeds in semi-arid Argentina. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 139, 91–102.
Pogonomyrmex cunicularius as the keystone disperser of elaiosome-bearing Jatropha excisa seeds in semi-arid Argentina.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Ashley, M. (1995). ‘The Biology and Management of Jatropha gossypifolia.’ Technical Bulletin No. 234. (Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries: Darwin, NT.)

Ball, D. A., Frost, S. M., and Gitelman, A. I. (2004). Predicting timing of downy brome (Bromus tectorum) seed production using growing degree days. Weed Science 52, 518–524.
Predicting timing of downy brome (Bromus tectorum) seed production using growing degree days.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXmtFeksrw%3D&md5=98d734361d366c7b4cb36eca256b207bCAS |

Bebawi, F. F., and Campbell, S. D. (2002a). Seed dispersal of a myrmecochorous weed, bellyache bush (Jatropha gossypifolia) in riparian landscapes of northern Queensland. In: ‘Proceedings of the Royal Society of Queensland, Landscape Health in Queensland Symposium’. (Eds A. J. Franks, J. Playford and A. Shapcott.) pp. 98–102. (The Royal Society of Queensland: Brisbane.)

Bebawi, F. F., and Campbell, S. D. (2002b). Effects of fire on germination and viability of bellyache bush (Jatropha gossypifolia). Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 42, 1063–1069.
Effects of fire on germination and viability of bellyache bush (Jatropha gossypifolia).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Bebawi, F. F., and Campbell, S. D. (2002c). Impact of fire on bellyache bush (Jatropha gossypifolia) plant mortality and seedling recruitment. Tropical Grasslands 36, 129–137.

Bebawi, F. F., and Campbell, S. D. (2004). Interactions between meat ants (Iridomyrmex spadius) and bellyache bush (Jatropha gossypifolia). Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 44, 1157–1164.
Interactions between meat ants (Iridomyrmex spadius) and bellyache bush (Jatropha gossypifolia).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Bebawi, F., Vitelli, J., Campbell, S., and Madigan, M. (2004). Integrated control methods for bellyache bush (Jatropha gossypifolia L.) in northern Queensland: preliminary results. In: ‘Proceedings of the 14th Australian Weed Conference’. (Eds B. M. Sindel and S. B. Johnson.) pp. 150–152. (Weed Society of New South Wales: Sydney.)

Bebawi, F. F., Mayer, R. J., and Campbell, S. D. (2005a). Phenology of bellyache bush (Jatropha gossypifolia L.) in northern Queensland. Plant Protection Quarterly 20, 46–51.

Bebawi, F. F., Mayer, R. J., and Campbell, S. D. (2005b). Flowering and capsule production of bellyache bush (Jatropha gossypifolia L.) in northern Queensland. Plant Protection Quarterly 20, 129–132.

Bebawi, F. F., Vitelli, J. S., Campbell, S. D., Vogler, W. D., Lockett, C. J., Grace, B. S., Lukitsch, B., and Heard, T. A. (2007). The biology of Australian weeds 47. Jatropha gossypifolia L. Plant Protection Quarterly 22, 42–58.

Bebawi, F. F., Vitelli, J. S., Campbell, S. D., and Mayer, R. J. (2011). Impact of control strategies on bellyache bush (Jatropha gossypifolia L.) mortality, seedling recruitment, population dynamics, pasture yield and cost analysis. The Rangeland Journal 33, 277–286.
Impact of control strategies on bellyache bush (Jatropha gossypifolia L.) mortality, seedling recruitment, population dynamics, pasture yield and cost analysis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Bekker, R. M., Bakker, J. P., Grandin, U., Kalamees, R., Milberg, P., Poschold, P., Thompson, K., and Willems, J. H. (1998). Seed size, shape and vertical distribution in the soil: indicators of seed longevity. Functional Ecology 12, 834–842.
Seed size, shape and vertical distribution in the soil: indicators of seed longevity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

BOM (2012). Mean annual rainfall and maximum daily temperature ranges. Available at: www.bom.gov.au (accessed 19 October 2012).

Brown, K., and Bettink, K. (2011). Management notes (for the Swan NRM Region). Available at: http://florabase.dec.wa.gov.au (accessed 17 October 2012).

Campbell, S. D., and Grice, A. C. (2000). Weed biology – a foundation for weed management. Tropical Grasslands 34, 271–279.

Cardina, J., and Sparrow, D. H. (1996). A comparison of methods to predict weed seedling populations from the soil seed banks. Weed Science 44, 46–51.
| 1:CAS:528:DyaK28Xhs1aqsL8%3D&md5=8a614dee0bfe111c3005a4d27d310732CAS |

Csurhes, S. M. (1999). ‘Bellyache bush (Jatropha gossypifolia) in Queensland.’ – Pest Status Review Series – Land protection. (Queensland Department of Natural Resources: Brisbane.)

Cunningham, D. C., Wolde-ndorp, G., Burgess, M. B., and Barry, S. C. (2003). ‘Prioritising Sleeper Weeds for Eradication: Selection of Species Based on Potential Impacts on Agriculture and Feasibility of Eradication.’ (Bureau of Resource Sciences: Canberra.)

Everist, S. L. (1974). ‘Poisonous Plants of Australia.’ (Angus and Robertson: Sydney.)

Genstat 8.1 Committee. (2005). ‘Genstat Release 8.1. Reference Manual.’ (VSN International Ltd.: Hemel Hempstead, UK.)

Ghersa, C. M., and Martinez, M. (2000). Ecological correlates of weed seed size and persistence in the soil under different tilling systems: implications for weed management. Field Crops Research 67, 141–148.
Ecological correlates of weed seed size and persistence in the soil under different tilling systems: implications for weed management.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Growing-degree days. (2012). Wikipedia. Available at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Growing-degreeday (accessed 5 October 2012).

Heard, T. A., Chan, R. R., and Segura, R. (2002). Prospects for the biological control of bellyache bush, Jatropha gossypifolia. In: ‘Proceedings of the 13th Australian Weed Conference’. (Eds H. Spafford Jacob, J. Dodd and J. H. Moore.) pp. 366–369. (Plant Protection Society of Western Australia: Perth.)

Holmes, P. M., and Newton, R. J. (2004). Patterns of seed persistence in South African fynbos. Plant Ecology 172, 143–158.
Patterns of seed persistence in South African fynbos.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Miller, I. L., and Pitt, J. L. (1992). ‘Is Jatropha gossypifolia the next Mimosa pigra?’ Transcript of BARC Seminar 26 June 1992. (Berimah Agricultural Research Centre, Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries: Darwin, NT.)

Moles, A. T., and Westoby, M. (2006). Seed size and plant strategy across the whole life cycle. Oikos 113, 91–105.
Seed size and plant strategy across the whole life cycle.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Moore, R. P. (1985). ‘Handbook on Tetrazolium Testing.’ (International Seed Testing Association: Zurich.)

Myers, J. H., and Bazely, D. R. (2003). ‘Ecology and Control of Introduced Plants.’ (Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, UK.)

Northcote, K. H. (1974). ‘A Factual Key for the Recognition of Australian Soils.’ 4th edn. (Rellim Technical Publications: Adelaide.)

Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Centre. (2006). An assessment of exotic plant species of Rocky Mountain National Park – Euphorbia esula L.– Leafy spurge (Euphorbiaceae). Available at: www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/plants/explant/euphesul.htm (accessed 15 January 2008).

Panetta, F. D., and Groves, R. H. (1990). Weed management and revegetation programs. Proceedings of the Ecological Society of Australia 16, 545–549.

Parsons, W. T., and Cuthbertson, E. G. (2001). ‘Noxious Weeds of Australia.’ 2nd edn. (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne.)

Pitt, J. L. (1992). Willeroo Station – Control of bellyache bush (Jatropha gossypifolia). Progress Report 1981–1995, Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Weeds Branch. Technical Annual Report – 1991/92, Darwin, Northern Territory.

Popay, A. I., and Thompson, A. (1979). Some aspects of the biology of Carduus nutans (L.) in New Zealand pastures. In: ‘Proceedings 7th Asian-Pacific Weed Science Society Conference’. (Eds R. W. Medd and B. A. Auld.) pp. 343–346. (Asian-Pacific Weed Science Society: Sydney.)

Randall, A., Campbell, S., Vogler, W., Bebawi, F., and Madigan, B. (2009). ‘Bellyache Bush (Jatropha gossypifolia) Management Manual – Current Control Options and Management Case Studies from Across Australia.’ (Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries, Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, Queensland Government: Brisbane.)

Roberts, H. A., and Feast, P. M. (1972). Fate of seeds of some annual weeds in different depths of cultivated and undisturbed soil. Weed Research 12, 316–324.
Fate of seeds of some annual weeds in different depths of cultivated and undisturbed soil.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 of the 14th Australian Weeds Conference’. (Eds B. M. Sindel and S. B. Johnson.) pp. 555–557. (Weed Society of New South Wales: Sydney.)

Smith, N. M. (1995). ‘Weeds of Natural Ecosystems: A Field Guide to Environmental Weeds of the Northern Territory.’ (Environment Centre: Darwin, NT.)

Smith, N. M. (2011). ‘Weeds of Northern Australia: A Field Guide.’ (Environment Centre: Darwin, NT.)

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.)

Traba, J., Azcarate, F. M., and Peco, B. (2006). The fate of seeds in Mediterranean soil seed banks in relation to their traits. Journal of Vegetation Science 17, 5–10.
The fate of seeds in Mediterranean soil seed banks in relation to their traits.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Vivian-Smith, G., and Panetta, F. D. (2009). Lantana (Lantana camara) seed bank dynamics: seedling emergence and seed survival. Invasive Plant Science and Management 2, 141–150.
Lantana (Lantana camara) seed bank dynamics: seedling emergence and seed survival.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Wilen, C. A., Holt, J. S., and McCloskey, W. B. (1996). Predicting yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus) emergence using degree-day models. Weed Science 44, 821–829.
| 1:CAS:528:DyaK2sXitFOksw%3D%3D&md5=39ee27a86eb4311d22578724ed108af6CAS |

Willcocks, J., and Young, P. (1991). ‘Queensland’s Rainfall History.’ (Queensland Department of Primary Industries: Brisbane.)