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Native Pasture Restoration in the Kimberley Rangelands, Western Australia – Seed Production Areas
Author
Golos, PJ
Revell, CK
Publisher
XII International Rangeland Congress
Publication Year
2025
Body

The pastoral industry in the Kimberley region is an important economic contributor to Western Australia. However, as a result of past land management practices, there has been a decline of the more desirable native pasture grasses resulting in a loss of feed-base productivity. To reverse this decline, research is being conducted to help restore important native pasture grasses in this region. In the Kimberley region, access to native grass seed for restoration is limited as wild-harvest is opportunistic, typically un-mechanised and ripe seed collection sites can be difficult to access during the wet season. Establishing a Seed Production Area (SPA) close to existing all weather roads will allow access to seed at the optimum harvesting time, and planting of single species on flat terrain will allow rapid and efficient collection of seed especially if using mechanical harvesters. Also, the use of fertiliser and irrigation could improve seed quality and increase seed production. This should improve the availability and reduce the cost of native grass seed for use in restoration of native grasses to degraded rangelands and mine-sites. Six native grass species have been planted out on a small scale to trial a SPA located in Perth, Western Australia. Plants were fertilised and irrigated during summer. Plant growth and phenology were monitored and seed quality compared to wild-harvested se ed. Irrigation extended the flowering period and hence seed production. Seed fill (a measure of seed viability) from the SPA was equal to or significantly greater than for wild-harvested seed. There was a trend towards increased seed yield and seed fill in the SPA when grasses were cut before summer re-growth, and with increased irrigation.

Language
English
Resource Type
Text
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Additional Information
This paper is part of the larger XII International Rangelands Congress Proceedings. Page Numbers: 1084-1088. Theme: Theme 4 / Poster presentations – Theme 4
ISSN
978-0-646-72121-7
Conference Name
International Rangeland Congress
Collection
International Rangelands Congress
Keywords
seed
grass
revegetation