A survey of native grasses in the Goulburn District and factors influencing their abundance.

1991 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 118 ◽  
Author(s):  
DJ Munnich ◽  
PC Simpson ◽  
HI Nicol
Keyword(s):  
Species Differences ◽  
New South ◽  
Acid Tolerance ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Native Grasses ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Cent Increase ◽  
Annual Grasses ◽  
Microlaena Stipoides

A survey of natural and improved paddocks on 34 farms was conducted over winter within a 60 km radius of Goulburn on the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales. Seventeen of the properties which were found to have significant (greater than 10 per cent) proportions of potentially useful native grasses were resurveyed in the subsequent summer to identify specific Danthonia spp. The survey revealed that useful native yearlong green species such as Microlaena stipoides and Danthonia spp. were relatively abundant in natural paddocks surveyed over winter (16 per cent and 10 per cent respectively), Danthonia being represented by four common species. These natural paddocks, most of which contained Trifolium subterraneum and had some superphosphate input, carried 80 per cent as many stock as their improved counterparts in terms of average DSE/ha. Factors such as cultivation and the presence of naturalized or sown species influenced the abundance of these species, but species differences were apparent. Cultivation reduced the abundance of Danthonia spp. but did not affect the abundance of M. stipoides, which was thus more prevalent than Danthonia spp. in improved pastures. Microlaena stipoides was also more prevalent in uncleared than cleared paddocks. The frequency of Danthonia spp. was negatively associated with high percentage frequencies of annual grasses (principally Vulpia spp.), declining by approximately 2.5 per cent for each 10 per cent increase in annual grasses over winter. The proportion of M. stipoides observed in paddocks appeared to be more influenced by sown pasture species, with lowest percentages recorded where species such as Phalaris aquatica had been sown and highest percentages where no exotic species had been introduced. The abundance of M. stipoides was affected by pH, with percentage frequency increasing as pH declined (down to pH 4 (Cacl~)), indicating the possible acid tolerance of this species. Species' percentages recorded changed with season. For example, Danthonia percentages recorded were considerably greater over summer when flowering heads were obvious than those recorded in winter. This aspect highlights the importance of recording different species during specific seasons to increase the accuracy of frequency estimates.

The influence of climate, soil, and management on the composition of native grass pastures on the central, southern, and Monaro tablelands of New South Wales

2001 ◽  
Vol 52 (9) ◽  
pp. 925 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. L. Garden ◽  
P. M . Dowling ◽  
D. A. Eddy ◽  
H. I. Nicol
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Native Grasses ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Stock Management ◽  
Native Grass ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Stock Type

Pastures on 126 properties on the central, southern, and Monaro tablelands were surveyed to determine their botanical composition. Data on climate, soils, pasture sowing, fertiliser history, and stock management were collected to relate current composition to environmental factors and previous management. Native grass-based pastures were found to be widespread, and in many cases, pastures were dominated by native grasses, despite many decades of pasture improvement. Seventeen genera of native perennial grasses comprising over 35 species were identified. The most common species on the central tablelands were Austrodanthonia spp., Bothriochloa macra, and Microlaena stipoides; on the southern tablelands, Austrodanthoniaspp. and M. stipoides; and on the Monaro, Poa spp., Austrodanthonia spp., Themeda australis, and Austrostipa spp. Soil type was the most important factor affecting species distribution, and other soil attributes such as texture, pH, P, and N were also important. Environmental (rainfall) and management (superphosphate application, stock type, stocking rate) factors also influenced distribution. The significant areas of native grass pastures that were found suggest a decline in sown species and a recolonisation of sown pastures with native grasses. The potential for manipulation of botanical composition of these grasslands is discussed, together with their value for production and sustainability.

Smoke affects the Germination of Native Grasses of New South Wales

1999 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 563 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamara R. Read ◽  
Sean M. Bellairs
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Germination Rate ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Germination Percentage ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Native Grasses ◽  
Environmental Stimulus ◽  
Native Grass ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Stimulation Of

The germination responses to plant-derived smoke of seeds of 20 native grass species from New South Wales, Australia, were tested under laboratory conditions. The species belonged to 14 genera including Bothriochloa, Chloris, Cymbopogon, Danthonia, Dichanthium, Digitaria, Eragrostis, Eriochloa, Microlaena, Panicum, Paspalidium, Poa, Stipa and Themeda. The interaction between smoke and husk-imposed dormancy was examined by removing the floral structures surrounding the seeds, when sufficient seeds were available. Smoke was shown to be an important environmental stimulus for breaking the dormancy of native grasses; however, the response differed considerably between different genera and between species of the same genus. For almost half of the species, smoke significantly increased the germination percentage. Panicum decompositum showed the greatest response, with germination increasing from 7.7 to 63.1% when smoke was applied. Panicum effusum had no germination in the absence of smoke, but 16.7% germination when smoke was applied. Stipa scabra subsp. scabra had germination significantly reduced by smoke from 30.2 to 19.9%. Five species had their germination rate, but not the final germination percentage, affected by smoke, and a third of the species were unaffected by smoke. For five of the species, Chloris ventricosa, Dichanthium sericeum, Panicum decompositum, Poa labillardieri and Stipa scabra subsp. falcata, this is the first report of a smoke-stimulated germination response. For those species with germination promoted by smoke, retention of the covering structures did not prevent smoke stimulation of germination. Sowing smoke-treated husked seeds is likely to be preferable as it would still promote greater germination, whereas dehusking seeds can result in the seeds being more susceptible to desiccation and fungal attack in the field. It is suggested that other grassland communities that respond to pyric conditions may also contain species that respond to smoke.

Characterisation of naturalised strains of Trifolium subterraneum var. brachycalycinum cv. Clare in northern New South Wales

1994 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 33 ◽  
Author(s):  
GM Lodge
Keyword(s):  
Seed Weight ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Summer Rainfall ◽  
Median Number ◽  
South Wales ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Floral Characters ◽  
Number Of Seeds

Burrs were collected from paddocks on 3 properties in northern New South Wales where the age of the Trifolium subterraneum var. brachycalycinum cv. Clare swards varied from 19 to 28 years. At 1 site burrs were also sampled from swards sown 2 and 10 years previously. Twenty seedlings from these burrs and 20 plants of certified cv. Clare were grown as spaced plants in a nursery. These were assessed for vegetative and floral characters, flowering time, number of seeds per burr, seed weight, and percentage hardseed after storage at 25/25�C for 6 months and 25/45�C for a further 6 months. For most plants the mean number of days from sowing to first flower was similar to that of Clare. Compared with the naturalised strains, Clare had the lowest (P<0.05) mean number of seeds per burr: about 25% below the mean of the strains (2.7 seeds per burr). While the lowest mean seed weights of the strains were not significantly different from those of Clare, the seed weights of plants from 3 sites were higher (P<0.05) than those of Clare. After storage for either 6 or 12 months, hardseed levels were also lowest (P<0.05) for Clare. Plants from the 2-year-old sward had the same median number of seeds per burr (2.0) as Clare. As sward age increased, the median number of seeds per burr increased to 2.8. Hardseed percentages were lowest for plants of Clare and for those from the 2-year-old sward after 6 months, and for Clare after 12 months. These studies indicated the presence of divergent strains in old swards of Clare in a summer rainfall environment. Natural selection among variability within Clare is the most likely reason for the development of these strains in an environment marginal for the long-term persistence of this softseeded cultivar. Although strains had the same vegetative and floral markings as Clare, differences in ecologically important characters such as number of seeds per burr, seed weight, and hardseededness may result in plants that are better adapted to the environment in which they evolved. From these studies 23 plants of T. subterraneum var. brachycalycinum were selected for further evaluation.

Occurrence of Phytophthora clandestina in Trifolium subterraneum paddocks in Australia

2001 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 187 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Aldaoud ◽  
W. Guppy ◽  
L. Callinan ◽  
S. F. Flett ◽  
K. A. Wratten ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Root Rot ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Differential Cultivars

In 1995–96, a survey of soil samples from subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) paddocks was conducted across Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales and Western Australia, to determine the distribution and the prevalence of races of Phytophthora clandestina (as determined by the development of root rot on differential cultivars), and the association of its occurrence with paddock variables. In all states, there was a weak but significant association between P. clandestina detected in soil samples and subsequent root rot susceptibility of differential cultivars grown in these soil samples. Phytophthora clandestina was found in 38% of the sampled sites, with a significantly lower prevalence in South Australia (27%). There were significant positive associations between P. clandestina detection and increased soil salinity (Western Australia), early growth stages of subterranean clover (Victoria), mature subterranean clover (South Australia), recently sown subterranean clover (South Australia), paddocks with higher subterranean clover content (Victoria), where herbicides were not applied (South Australia), irrigation (New South Wales and Victoria), cattle grazing (South Australia and Victoria), early sampling dates (Victoria and New South Wales), sampling shortly after the autumn break or first irrigation (Victoria), shorter soil storage time (Victoria) and farmer’s perception of root rot being present (Victoria and New South Wales). Only 29% of P. clandestina isolates could be classified under the 5 known races. Some of the unknown races were virulent on cv. Seaton Park LF (most resistant) and others were avirulent on cv. Woogenellup (most susceptible). Race 1 was significantly less prevalent in South Australia than Victoria and race 0 was significantly less prevalent in New South Wales than in South Australia and Western Australia. This study revealed extremely wide variation in the virulence of P. clandestina. The potential importance of the results on programs to breed for resistance to root rot are discussed. in South Australia.

Benthic communities in an estuary with periodic deoxygenation

1981 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 227 ◽  
Author(s):  
SF Rainer ◽  
RC Fitzhardinge
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Benthic Communities ◽  
Benthic Fauna ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Central Basin ◽  
Deep Basin ◽  
South Wales ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Range Of Values ◽  
Zostera Capricorni

The relationship between spatial patterns in the physical environment and patterns in community and trophic structure in the benthic fauna was investigated in an estuary with periodic deoxygenation of the near- bottom water. Six sites were sampled between intertidal mangroves and an 8 m deep basin of Port Hacking, N.S.W. A total of 163 species was collected, ranging from 11 to 94 at each site. Both frequency and biomass were least in the central basin and highest in a bed of the seagrass Zostera capricorni Aschers. The abundances at these sites encompass the range of values previously recorded for estuaries on the east coast of Australia. The dominant species differed from those reported from other New South Wales estuaries, although the same species were usually present. The distribution of common species was limited by fluctuations in dissolved oxygen levels, but not obviously so by sediment differences or short-term fluctuations in water temperature or salinity. Frequency-based diversity and evenness values were similar to those from other estuarine areas. Biomass-based values were lower at most sites than frequency-based values. Patterns of diversity and evenness could not be simply interpreted as indicators of environmental harshness in the community.

The herpetofauna of Kioloa, New South Wales: baseline observational data collected 30 years ago and inspired by R. E. Barwick

2014 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Klaus Henle ◽  
Will Osborne ◽  
Frank Lemckert
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Current Data ◽  
Eastern Coast ◽  
Field Station ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Anthropogenic Habitat ◽  
Reptile Species ◽  
Frog Species

There is increasing concern about the global decline of amphibians and reptiles. One problem with documenting declines and identifying underlying causes is the absence of historical data to compare to current data. Here we provide historic data for Kioloa on the south-eastern coast of New South Wales. In this region considerable clearing of natural forest and woodland and creation of farmland ponds took place during the second half of the 20th century. The Australian National University has a field station at Kioloa and R.E. Barwick introduced us to the field station and what was known of the herpetofauna in the mid-1980s. We undertook detailed observational surveys of the herpetofauna at this time and we revisited the area at other times, focusing on the coastal habitats. We found 13 species of frogs and 11 species of reptiles. Three further frog species and one reptile species known to occur in the area in the 1980s were not detected by us. More recently, one further frog species and six reptile species were added to the list, raising the total to 17 frog and 18 reptile species. The number and composition was similar to other locations of coastal New South Wales, except for some of the rarely encountered species. No strictly forest-dependent species were observed in the partially cleared survey area and such species presumably had already disappeared from these areas already before we commenced our observations. The frog Pseudophryne bibronii was still common in tall open-forest but was uncommon in partially cleared areas. Six species of frogs and one species of reptile presumably benefited from the anthropogenic habitat modifications. No declines of common species of reptiles occurred between the mid-1980s and 1993 but all species of frogs were very rare in 1993 due to very dry conditions. Litoria aurea, a threatened species of frog that was widespread in the mid-1980s, survives (2012) only at one site in the area.

Variation in susceptibility of cultivars of Trifolium subterraneum to Kabatiella caulivora and in pathogenicity of isolates of the fungus as shown in germination-inoculation tests

1975 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 647 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Helms
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
New South ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Leaf Production ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Kabatiella Caulivora ◽  
Susceptible Group ◽  
Time Of Harvest ◽  
Different Parts

Seedlings of six cultivars of Trifolium subterraneum were tested during germination for resistance to Kabatiella caulivora, and gave results comparable with those obtained with seedlings inoculated by spraying at 1–4 weeks after sowing. Advantages of the method were that a large number of seedlings could be screened under uniform conditions with the minimum of time and space. Within the more susceptible group of cultivars, Woogenellup and Bacchus Marsh were usually more susceptible than Yarloop and Mt. Barker; these in turn were more susceptible than Clare, and Clare more susceptible than Daliak. For all cultivars except the highly resistant cultivar, Daliak, there was a correlation between the rate of trifoliolate leaf production and susceptibility to the disease, the most susceptible being those with most leaves expanded at the time of inoculation and with most leaves present at the time of harvest. Physiologic specialization in isolates of the pathogen from different parts of Australia was demonstrated. In general, one isolate from South Australia was more pathogenic than a group of isolates from South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia; these in turn were more pathogenic than one isolate from New South Wales, which was somewhat atypical in culture, and one from Victoria which was markedly atypical in culture.

Izmir subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L. var. subterraneum)

2007 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 226 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. G. H. Nichols ◽  
G. A. Sandral ◽  
B. S. Dear ◽  
C. T. de Koning ◽  
D. L. Lloyd ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seed Production ◽  
Seed Set ◽  
New South ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Good Seed ◽  
Improvement Program ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Pasture Legume

Izmir is a hardseeded, early flowering, subterranean clover of var. subterraneum (Katz. et Morley) Zohary and Heller collected from Turkey and developed by the collaborating organisations of the National Annual Pasture Legume Improvement Program. It is a more hardseeded replacement for Nungarin and best suited to well-drained, moderately acidic soils in areas with a growing season of less than 4.5 months. Izmir seed production and regeneration densities in 3-year pasture phases were similar to Nungarin in 21 trials across southern Australia, but markedly greater in years following a crop or no seed set. Over all measurements, Izmir produced 10% more winter herbage and 7% more spring herbage than Nungarin. Its greater hardseededness and good seed production, makes it better suited to cropping rotations than Nungarin. Softening of Izmir hard seeds occurs later in the summer–autumn period than Nungarin, giving it slightly greater protection from seed losses following false breaks to the season. Izmir is recommended for sowing in Western Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Queensland. Izmir has been granted Plant Breeders Rights in Australia.

Fertility and productivity of a podzolic soil as influenced by subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) and superphosphate.

1954 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 664 ◽  
Author(s):  
CM Donald ◽  
CH Williams
Keyword(s):  
Organic Phosphorus ◽  
New South ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Inorganic Phosphorus ◽  
Exchange Capacity ◽  
Fourfold Increase ◽  
Podzolic Soils ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Native Pasture

A survey was made of the influence of the use of superphosphate and subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) on podzolic soils formed on granodiorite in the Crookwell district of New South Wales (average rainfall, 32.7 in. per annum). Forty-four paddocks were sampled; they varied from untreated native pasture to paddocks which had been for 26 years continuously under clover and which had received a total of 13 cwt of superphosphate per acre. In all instances there had been no cultivation during treatment, and the land use mas uniformly one of sheep raising, principally for wool but with some emphasis on fat lamb production on highly improved pastures. Criteria used in this study were the changes in yield and botanical composition of the pasture, changes or trends in the chemical composition of the 0-4 in. depth of soil, and the yield of oats produced by each of the soils in pot culture with varying superimposed applications of phosphorus, sulphur, and nitrogen. The native pasture species disappear under the competition by subterranean clover, which gives a fourfold increase in the yield of pasture. Within the limits of experimental error, the phosphorus and sulphur applied as superphosphate, even that applied many years previously, can be accounted for in the surface 4 in. of soil. Losses by removal in wool and carcases are small. The added phosphorus is present in approximately equal amounts as organic phosphorus and readily extractable inorganic phosphorus. The applied sulphur appears to become a part of the organic complex. Eighty-five pounds of nitrogen has been added in the surface 4 in. of soil by rhizobial activity for each hundredweight of superphosphate applied per acre. Initially the most acute deficiencies affecting plant growth on these soils are those of phosphorus and nitrogen, with a less pronounced deficiency of sulphur. After a period of several years of superphosphate and clover, each of these deficiencies is much reduced, the order of the intensity of deficiencies then being nitrogen, sulphur, and phosphorus. Soil pH falls with superphosphate application at the rate of about 0.06 units per hundredweight of fertilizer per acre, but may reach an equilibrium value at about 5.1. This could be due to the increase in exchange capacity of the soil as a result of the increase in organic matter. A field experiment on two sites also indicated the increase in fertility under subterranean clover pasture and demonstrated the capacity of the improved soils to produce a satisfactory field crop of oats.

Beef production from lucerne and subterranean clover pastures. 1. The effects of pasture, stocking rate and supplementary feeding

1980 ◽  
Vol 20 (107) ◽  
pp. 678 ◽  
Author(s):  
EC Wolfe ◽  
RD FitzGerald ◽  
DG Hall ◽  
OR Southwood
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Development ◽  
New South ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Supplementary Feeding ◽  
Wagga Wagga ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Eye Muscle ◽  
South Wales ◽  
June July

The production and management of weaner steers on two pasture types were studied over 3 years at Wagga Wagga in southern New South Wales. One pasture (LC) was sown with a mixture of lucerne (Medicago sativa) and subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) and the other (C) was sown only with subterranean clover. On each pasture the management treatments were 1.3 and 2.0 steers ha-' in 1975, and 2.1 and 3.0 steers ha-1 in 1976 and 1977, with a grain supplement at the heavier stocking rate in all years. Each year, steers gained more liveweight in February-March or April-May on LC than on C, and this advantage was maintained or increased until slaughter in the following January. The faster growth of steers on lucerne-clover was always associated with an increased supply of green herbage. Annual liveweight gain on LC exceeded that on C by 20-30 kg/head in 1975 and 1977, and by up to 90 kg/head in 1976, when the rainfall pattern was unsuitable for clover growth. Carcases from steers on LC were heavier (all years), covered with a greater depth of fat (1 975 and 1976) and showed better eye muscle development (1 76 and 1977) than those on C. In 1975, neither stocking rate nor supplementary feeding affected liveweight or carcase development. In the following 2 years, increasing the stocking rate from 2 to 3 steers ha-1 reduced annual liveweight gains by 35-40 kg/head. Oat grain supplements (2-3 kg/head day-1 in February-March, June-July and December-January) improved weight gains and carcase quality on both pasture types in 1977, but only on C in 1976

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