Rangeland Ecology & Management

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Assessment of management options for Chilean needle grass in sheep-grazing systems
Author
Grech, C J
McLaren, D A
Lowien, J
McWhirter, L
Butler, K L
Sindel, B M
Publisher
Grass and Forage Science
Publication Year
2014
Body

Chilean needle grass [Nassella neesiana (Trin. & Rupr.) Barkworth; CNG] is a perennial spear grass that has invaded pastures in south-eastern Australia and can lead to a substantial reduction of stockcarrying capacity during the summer months. This study examined a range of grazing, herbicide and pasture resowing options, alone or in combination, on CNG and introduced pasture grass basal cover, for several CNG-infested sites in south-eastern Australia. At each site, options were chosen on the basis that they were most likely to control the CNG infestation while maintaining a productive sheep-grazing enterprise on grass pastures. After 2 years of management, the reduction in CNG basal cover in set stock plots that were sprayed with flupropanate, versus those not sprayed, ranged from non-detectable to a reduction of 80%, depending on site location. After 5 years of management, the reduction ranged from zero to 50%. Grazing management or sowing of competitive pastures did not generally reduce CNG basal cover to low levels. None of the management options maintained reasonable levels of desirable perennial species by the end of 4–5 years. We conclude that, because of the persistence of CNG, the need for regular spraying of herbicide, and the relative ineffectiveness of other control methods, management systems may need to be developed that utilize CNG while minimizing its input to the soil seedbank.

Language
English
Resource Type
Text
Document Type
Journal Issue/Article
Journal Volume
69
Journal Number
1
Journal Pages
119-128
Journal Name
Grass and Forage Science
Keywords
management
grazing
sheep
grazing management
pasture management
sheep
Weeds
Alien invasive species
grasslands
animal production
Herbicide
soils
seeds
Austrailia