LIGULE: An evaluation of indigenous perennial grasses for dryland salinity management in south-eastern Australia. 2. Field performance and the selection of promising ecotypes

2001 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 351 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meredith L. Mitchell ◽  
T. B. Koen ◽  
W. H. Johnston ◽  
D. B. Waterhouse
Keyword(s):  
Field Performance ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Wagga Wagga ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Dactylis Glomerata L ◽  
Salinity Management ◽  
Selection Of ◽  
Broad Overview ◽  
South Eastern Australia

This paper reports the results of an initial evaluation of a large collection of Australian perennial native grasses. The overall aim of the research was to identify accessions that may be useful for pastoral purposes and for controlling land degradation on hill-lands in the high (>500 mm) rainfall zone of south-eastern Australia. Accessions (807) representing 37 target species were established in spaced plant nurseries at Rutherglen and Wagga Wagga. Dactylis glomerata L. cv. Porto and Eragrostis curvula (Schrad) Nees. Complex cv. Consol were established as comparator (control) species. A range of attributes was observed over a 2-year period (19900—1992), including persistence, vigour, productivity, palatability, morphology, and characteristics related to seed production. Accessions were initially culled on the basis of their persistence. Data for a range of attributes were separately analysed using pattern analysis to provide a broad overview of the performance and characteristics of the remaining accessions. A number of selection criteria were applied which resulted in selection of a promising group of 20 accessions (12 species from 8 genera). The promising group of accessions will be evaluated further at field sites typical of hilly landscapes in the 500mp;mdash;600 mm rainfall zone of south-eastern Australia.

LIGULE: An evaluation of indigenous perennial grasses for dryland salinity management in south-eastern Australia. 1. A base germplasm collection

2001 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 343 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. H. Johnston ◽  
Meredith L. Mitchell ◽  
T. B. Koen ◽  
W. E. Mulham ◽  
D. B. Waterhouse
Keyword(s):  
Low Frequency ◽  
Germplasm Collection ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Topographic Map ◽  
Vegetation Diversity ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Collection Sites ◽  
South Eastern Australia

This paper reports on the collection phase of a research program which aimed to identify Australian native grasses that may be useful for pastoral purposes and for controlling land degradation on hill-lands in the high (>500 mm) rainfall zone of south-eastern Australia. Live plants of 37 target species were collected along a number of transects, and at specific locations, in New South Wales and Victoria. The collection sites were generally along public roads, and were chosen for their vegetation diversity. Each collection site was marked on a 1: 250000 topographic map, and detailed notes were taken of the native vegetation, geology, soil types, land use, and other features. Surface (00—10 cm) soil samples were collected at most sites and analysed for phosphorus, pH CaCl 2 , electrical conductivity, and particle size distribution. A total of 807 accessions were collected from 210 locations. At most collection sites, soils were acidic (median pH 5.6); soil phosphorus (Olsen) was in the low range (<8.5 mg/kg); and the target genera occurred with a low frequency (half of the sites yielded 3 accessions or less). Although genera collected in the study could be ranked on the basis of the mean pH of their collection sites, they all tolerated a considerable soil pH range (of about 2mp;mdash;5 pH units). Allowing root and shoot growth to recommence by growing collected plants for a short period in coarse sand considerably improved establishment success. Accessions collected in this study will be further evaluated.

Evaluation of chicory cultivars and accessions for forage in south-eastern Australia

2010 ◽  
Vol 61 (7) ◽  
pp. 554 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guangdi D. Li ◽  
Zhongnan Nie ◽  
Amanda Bonython ◽  
Suzanne P. Boschma ◽  
Richard C. Hayes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Australia ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Wagga Wagga ◽  
Severe Drought ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Mixed Farming ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
South Eastern Australia

The comparative herbage production and persistence of 7 chicory cultivars and 14 accessions collected from diverse regions of the world were evaluated over 3 years in 5 agro-ecological environments across New South Wales (NSW), Victoria (Vic.) and South Australia (SA). Results showed that all cultivars had higher herbage yields than the accessions, but varied greatly among sites. Averaged across all cultivars, total herbage yields were up to 24.6 t DM/ha over 3 years at the Hamilton, Vic. site, but as low as 6.9 and 5.7 t DM/ha at the Wagga Wagga and Bookham, NSW sites, respectively, where chicory only persisted for 2 years. In contrast, the average herbage yield of all accessions was only one-half of that produced by the cultivars at the Hamilton site and about one-third of that at the other 4 sites. All cultivars and accessions persisted well under the favourable climate conditions experienced at the Hamilton site. In contrast, severe drought in 2006 resulted in the death of chicory swards at the Wagga Wagga and Bookham sites, and substantial declines in persistence at the Manilla, NSW and Willalooka, SA sites. Nevertheless, accessions collected from Australia and Asia were more persistent than some of the cultivars and may provide opportunities to select genotypes better adapted to intermittently dry mixed farming systems in south-eastern Australia. Our findings indicated that the current cultivars were best suited to sites similar to the Hamilton site in the winter-dominant, higher rainfall zone of south-eastern Australia. Under these conditions chicory was likely to be productive and persistent for 4 years or longer. In the drier mixed farming zone, chicory may be more suitable in shorter (2–3-year) pasture phases. Further research is required to identify those factors contributing to poor persistence.

Selection of roost sites by the lesser long-eared bat (Nyctophilus geoffroyi) and Gould's wattled bat (Chalinolobus gouldii) in south-eastern Australia

2002 ◽  
Vol 257 (2) ◽  
pp. 207-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. F. Lumsden ◽  
A. F. Bennett ◽  
J. E. Silins
Keyword(s):  
South Eastern ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Selection Of ◽  
South Eastern Australia

Drought resistance of native and introduced perennial grasses of south-eastern Australia

2005 ◽  
Vol 56 (11) ◽  
pp. 1261 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. P. Bolger ◽  
A. R. Rivelli ◽  
D. L. Garden
Keyword(s):  
Drought Resistance ◽  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Livestock Grazing ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Severe Drought ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Dehydration Avoidance ◽  
Leaf Survival ◽  
South Eastern Australia

Perennial grasses are the key to the economic and environmental sustainability of pastures for livestock grazing in south-eastern Australia. Mortality of perennial grasses can occur during drought periods and there is anecdotal evidence of differences in drought resistance among species, but information on the basic ecophysiological responses of these species to drought is lacking. An experiment was conducted to determine the responses of 7 native and 3 introduced perennial grass species to continuous drought. Leaf survival during severe drought varied among the species nearly 4-fold, from 11 to 40 days, and was considered a measure of their overall drought resistance. All of the species had good dehydration tolerance, so the differences in drought resistance were related more to their dehydration avoidance traits, specifically to the amount of water available to the plant at the point where plant transpiration became minimal. The native species had both the longest and shortest leaf survival periods, with the introduced species ranking intermediate. Species exhibited various morphological traits that contributed to dehydration avoidance during severe drought, including leaf folding or rolling, rapid leaf shedding, and large amounts of cuticular wax. The results are discussed in terms of their implications for perennial grass persistence in south-eastern and in south-western Australia.

The response of Phalaris tuberosa and other grasses to seasonal heavy stocking on the southern tablelands of New South Wales

1964 ◽  
Vol 4 (13) ◽  
pp. 141 ◽  
Author(s):  
EF Biddiscombe
Keyword(s):  
Natural Regeneration ◽  
New South ◽  
Dactylis Glomerata ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
The Third ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Commercial Strain ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Dactylis Glomerata L

Seven perennial grasses were evaluated for animal production and for persistence, when stocked heavily in summer or winter with young Merino wethers. The commercial strain of Phalaris tuberosa L., which is sown commonly in south-eastern Australia and is often low yielding during summer and winter, was taken as the standard. At first, the productivity of Bromus inernis Leyss. in summer and Dactylis glomerata L. (Brignoles strain) in winter was reflected in higher liveweight and wool yields for these seasons. This advantage over Phalaris was lost when the Bromus pasture weakened in the third summer and the Dactylis in the third winter. The latter sward revived by natural regeneration from seed, whereas P. tuberosa developed and maintained a dense sward of the original plants. On this evidence Bromus and Dactylis are possible replacements for Phalaris for specific seasonal purposes, but management to retain vigorous swards still needs study. These aspects are discussed.

Effect of continuous and time-control grazing on grassland components in south-eastern Australia

2005 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 369 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. M. Dowling ◽  
D. R. Kemp ◽  
P. D. Ball ◽  
C. M. Langford ◽  
D. L. Michalk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Abundance ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Basal Cover ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Time Control ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
South Eastern Australia

Declining grassland productivity is a major concern in southern temperate Australia. Continuous grazing is thought to be a primary contributor to this decline, which is associated with the loss of perennial grasses. Landholders are evaluating grazing management strategies that might curb the loss of perennials and increase long-term productivity. This study reports on a comparison between continuous grazing and time-control grazing with sheep and cattle using a paired-paddock design at 5 locations in south-eastern Australia (lat. 30–42°S) over 6 years (1994–99). Pasture herbage mass, grassland species composition and basal cover of perennial grasses were assessed at 6-monthly intervals. Species abundance data were analysed by ANOVA, ordination (multi-dimensional scaling) and splining procedures to assess comparative trends between the 2 management treatments at each site. Species were categorised into major functional groups for analysis. Over all 5 sites there were few consistent differences between management treatments (continuous grazing v. time-control grazing). Basal cover was greater on the time-control grazing management compared with continuous grazing for most of the experimental period at 3 sites, but the initial values were also greater, resulting in a non-significant management × time interaction. Based on this study, we conclude that there was no apparent medium-term benefit of a multi-paddock rotational (time-control grazing) grazing system over continuous grazing for encouraging and maintaining a favourable botanical composition. The benefits for land managers from employing systems such as time-control grazing may accrue through other mechanisms. The study also highlights some of the difficulties with conducting on-farm paired-paddock research.

Excess cation concentrations in shoots and roots of pasture species of importance in south-eastern Australia

2004 ◽  
Vol 44 (9) ◽  
pp. 883 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Braschkat ◽  
P. J. Randall
Keyword(s):  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Grazed Pasture ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Annual Grasses ◽  
Main Production ◽  
Production Period ◽  
South Eastern Australia

Excess cation concentrations (total cations – total inorganic anions) are reported for roots and shoots of 16 plant species of importance in pastures in south-eastern Australia. This information is required for the calculation of acidification in grazed pasture systems. The excess cation concentrations for shoots at flowering were [cmol(+)/kg]: perennial grasses — Lolium perenne (perennial ryegrass) 50, Phalaris aquatic (phalaris) 51, Danthonia richardsonii (wallaby grass) 30, Dactylus glomerata (cocksfoot) 62, Holcus lanatus (Fog grass) 60; annual grasses — Lolium rigidum 29, Vulpia bromoides (vulpia) 40, Hordeum leporinum (barley grass) 46, Bromus mollis (soft brome) 59; perennial legumes — Medicago sativa (lucerne) 115, Trifolium repens (white clover) 147; annual legumes — Trifolium subterraneum (subterranean clover) 142, Medicago truncatula (barrel medic) 114, Ornithopus sativus (serradella) 137; weeds — Arctotheca calendula (cape weed) 165, Echium plantagineum (Paterson’s curse) 169. Values for roots were in the same order as shoots in vulpia and wallaby grass but lower for the other species, varying between 26 and 62% of the shoot value in grasses and 29 and 49% in legumes. For a subset of 4 legumes and 3 grasses, the excess cation concentrations in shoots were measured over the main production period in spring. Excess cation concentrations generally declined during the season, with the change being relatively larger in grasses than legumes.

Atypical size selection of captive school prawns,Metapenaeus macleayi, by three recreational fishing gears in south‐eastern Australia

2004 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 755-766 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matt K. Broadhurst ◽  
Russell B. Millar ◽  
Damian J. Young ◽  
Michael E. L. Wooden ◽  
Stuart Rowland
Keyword(s):  
Recreational Fishing ◽  
Size Selection ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Fishing Gears ◽  
Selection Of ◽  
South Eastern Australia

Persistence of winter-active phalaris breeding populations, cultivars and other temperate grasses in diverse environments of south-eastern Australia

2007 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 136 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. A. Culvenor ◽  
S. P. Boschma ◽  
K. F. M. Reed
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Severe Drought ◽  
Environment Interaction ◽  
North West ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
The North ◽  
Genotype Environment Interaction ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Sib Families ◽  
South Eastern Australia

Three winter-active populations of phalaris (Phalaris aquatica L.), selected over two generations for improved persistence under grazing, were evaluated with commercial cultivars of phalaris and other temperate perennial grasses from 1999–2003 in three environments of south-eastern Australia as part of a program to develop a cultivar for more sustainable pastures and to assess genotype × environment interaction. Grazed sites were located at Bulart in western Victoria, and Rye Park on the Southern Tablelands and Tamworth on the North West Slopes of New South Wales. At the conclusion of the experiment, the frequency of live plant base was highest at Rye Park despite soil acidity and drought. Significant variance among half-sib families in each population was also observed most frequently at this site. Frequency was intermediate at Bulart but lower than expected considering high soil fertility, probably because of high grazing pressure. Frequency was lowest at Tamworth where severe drought occurred from 2001 onwards. There was significant genotype × environment interaction for frequency among half-sib families. Significant common family variance for frequency across the Bulart and Rye Park sites was demonstrated, but not between Tamworth and either of the other sites in later years. The relationship between winter herbage mass potential and persistence differed with population and site, and was negative for one population at Bulart but positive for another population at Tamworth. Mean persistence of all families was 30% higher than winter-active controls at Rye Park and at least 40% higher at Bulart. Phalaris generally persisted better than cultivars of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) with some exceptions, particularly at Bulart. Development of a winter-active phalaris cultivar with improved persistence under grazing was considered possible for the Southern Tablelands and western Victorian environments with these populations but a separate program using additional germplasm will be needed for the North West Slopes environment.

Changing patterns of pasture production in south-eastern Australia from 1960 to 2015

2020 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 70
Author(s):  
Ruchika S. Perera ◽  
Brendan R. Cullen ◽  
Richard J. Eckard
Keyword(s):  
Water Stress ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Growth Patterns ◽  
Wagga Wagga ◽  
Stress Growth ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
South Eastern Australia

The seasonal pattern of pasture production and its variability from year to year are important for pasture-based livestock production systems in south-eastern Australia because they influence key strategic decisions such as stocking rate and timing of the reproductive cycle. In this study, the effects of observed climate variations over the period 1960–2015 on pasture growth patterns were investigated by using a biophysical modelling approach. Pasture growth rates were simulated using DairyMod biophysical software at five sites ranging from high-rainfall, cool temperate at Elliott in Tasmania to medium-rainfall, warm temperate at Wagga Wagga in southern New South Wales. Annual pasture yields showed a small increasing rate of 50 kg DM/ha.year at Elliott and 40 kg DM/ha.year at Ellinbank (P &lt; 0.05), whereas other sites showed no significant trend over time. A cross-site analysis of seasonal average pasture growth rates predicted under four different discrete periods of 14 years each showed that winter growth has increased steadily through time (P = 0.001), and spring pasture growth rate has decreased (P &lt; 0.001) in 2002–15 compared with the earlier periods. Year-to-year pasture yield variability (coefficient of variation) during autumn and spring seasons has also increased (P &lt; 0.05) across sites in the period 2002–15 compared with 1998–2001. At each site, the number of spring days with water stress (growth limiting factor_water &lt;0.7) was ~10 times greater than the number of days with temperature stress (growth limiting factor_temperature &lt;0.7). There was an increase in the number of days with water stress at Wagga Wagga, and increased heat stress at Wagga Wagga and Hamilton (P &lt; 0.05) in the most recent period. These results highlight the importance of incorporating more heat-tolerant and deep-rooting cultivars into pasture-based production system. Although previous studies of climate-change impact have predicted increasing winter growth rates and a contraction of the spring growing season in the future (2030), this study provides clear evidence that these changes are already occurring under the observed climate in south-eastern Australia.

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