invasive grass identification and management module...• weeds of australia identification tool •...
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Invasive grass identificationand management
Insert Presenter NameInsert Presentation Date
IntroductionThis module is part of a series of modules in the Pests Cost Us All project.
The project aims to improve and up date landholder knowledge in pest animal management and weed management across South Australia.
This will be achieved through provision of training and awareness sessions and demonstration sites.
The Pests Cost Us All project is part of the Australian Government’s Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper, the government’s plan for stronger farmers and a stronger economy.
Learning outcomes from this module• Know what invasive grasses could spread to your area• Recognise the impacts of invasive grasses• Know key features to identify exotic vs native grasses • Learn how to collect samples• Understand the benefits of machinery and property hygiene in
preventing grass spread• Select appropriate objectives for invasive grass management • Understand the legal requirements for invasive grass control
Learning outcomes from this module…continued
• Select appropriate management techniques that will result in effective long term grass control
• Employ correct timing of grass management on the property (create a management calendar)
• Assess the effectiveness of grass management activities• Understand options for reporting new species
What other issues would you like to address in relation to invasive grass management on your property?
We will record these and refer to this list throughout the session
Before we start – your issues
1. Define the problem2. Determine objectives3. Develop plan4. Implement plan5. Monitor, evaluate and revise plan
Best practice weed management -key steps
• Correctly identify weed species and understand their biology and ecology
• Set appropriate goals for weed management
• Use a range of methods• Correctly time your activities and apply
long term effort• Monitor, evaluate and adapt
management
Weed Management Principles
• How to identify grasses? • What invasive grasses to look for?
• Introduced grass vs native species?• Help with identifying grasses…(NR and
State Herbarium) • Is it a declared species in SA?• Is it a Weed of National Significance?• Is it an alert species?Identification is an essential first step before control is undertaken…
Step 1. Define the Problem
(Step 1). Identification - Anatomy
Plant characteristics - What does it looks like?
• Growth habit, (size, colour, shape, etc.)
• Flower & seed characteristics (size and shape)
(Step 1). Biology and ecology
1. Annual or perennial?2. Summer active or winter active?3. How does it spread?
Can it regenerate from roots, bulbs, seeds etc.?How long do seeds or propagules remain viable in
soil?4. How fast can it spread?5. Promoted, or controlled by grazing?
(Step 1). What are the Impacts?
• Low nutrient value• Low palatability / digestibility• Poisonous if eaten• Physical injury (toxic or irritating?) • Devalue skins and wool• Change fire regimes (Interactions/ response to fire?)• Outcompete preferred native/pasture species
Buffel grass• Perennial clumps with high seed production –
an aggressive invader• Significant fire threat due to rapid growth rate
and fast maturation• Loss of other vegetation & useful pasture plants
ID and impacts – Cenchrus ciliaris
Declared
Data from AVH Jan 2017
ID and impacts – Cenchrus ciliaris
Adult: purple at base
Flowering spike
Juvenile spikeSeeds dispersed / detached seed
Mature seed spike
ID and impacts – Cenchrus ciliaris
ID – Buffel Grass look-a-likesBirdwood grass-Cenchrus setiger
Data from AVH Jan 2017
ID – Buffel Grass look-a-likes
Introduced Setaria verticillata –pigeon grass (right)
Native Enneapogonspecies - Black-heads (left)
ID – Buffel Grass look-a-likes
Native Mitchell grass –Astrebla pectinata
ID – Buffel Grass look-a-likes
Introduced Chloris gayana –Rhodes grass (right)
Introduced Cenchrus setaceus –Pennisetum orFountain grass (left)
Also known as Buffel grass • ID and threat status - same as Cenchrus
ciliaris• Seed heads are slightly different
- not as soft and hairy & darker in colour
ID and impacts – Cenchrus pennisetiformis
Declared
Data from AVH Jan 2017
Innocent weed• fast-growing annual grasses that produce
spiny burrs• pest plant in pastures and irrigated crops
ID and impacts – Cenchrus longispinusand C. incertus
Declared
Data from AVH Jan 2017
ID and impacts - Cenchrus macrourus(Pennisetum macrourum) - African feathergrass
Declared
Data from AVH Jan 2017
ID and impacts – Cenchrus setaceus(Pennisetum setaceum) - Fountain grass
Declared
Data from AVH Jan 2017
ID and impacts – Cenchrus longisetus (Pennisetum villosum) -Feather-top grass
Data from AVH Jan 2017
Pampas grasses • Large (gigantic) perennial
tussock
ID and impacts – Cortaderia species
Declared
Data from AVH Jan 2017
ID and impacts- Nassella leucotrichaTexas needlegrass• Perennial tussock forming
grass, up to 1m high • Found in: AMLR (Belair,
Clarendon, Scott Creek, Mt Bold)SE (Penola)
Declared
Nassella leucotrichaNative spear-grass seed
Data from AVH Jan 2017
ID and impacts – Nassella neesiana
Chilean needlegrass• Perennial tussock forming C3 grass, up to 1m high
CNG ID Video
WoNS
Above: purple glumes
Declared Data from AVH Jan 2017
ID and impacts – Nassella neesiana
Above: distinctive ring of hairs known as the corona
ID and impacts – Nassella tenuissima
Mexican feathergrass• Perennial grass forming dense tussocks• Extremely vigorous invasive plant
Data from AVH Jan 2017
ID and impacts- Nassella tenuissima
ID and impacts – Nassella trichotomaSerrated tussock• Perennial, reproduces by seed• Will significantly reduce carrying capacity
Left: tussock. Right: Old leaves with fawn coloured tips
WoNSDeclared
Data from AVH Jan 2017
ID and impacts- Nassella trichotoma
ID and impacts- Nassella hyalinaCane needlegrass• Perennial tussock forming grass
Corona
Declared
Data from AVH Jan 2017
ID and impacts- Nassella seeds
ID and impacts- Nassella seeds
ID – Nassella look-a-likesNative spear grasses-Austrostipa species
ID – Nassella look-a-likes• Nassella species have a corona where the seed and awn meet. • The corona is contained in the red circle below (in Chilean needle grass) • Native spear-grasses have no corona. Awn and seed grade into each other. • Native spear grass pictured below lacking a corona
ID and impacts – Eragrostis curvulaAfrican lovegrass• large perennial tussocks that grow to between 30 and
120 cm high
Declared
Data from AVH Jan 2017
ID – Eragrostis curvula look-a-likes
Piptatherum miliaceum – Rice millet
Eragrostis trichophora
ID and impacts – Hyparrhenia hirta
Coolatai grass• long lived summer active perennial tussock
Data from AVH Jan 2017
Plumerillo• long lived summer active perennial tussock• Only seen in AMLR in Adelaide Parklands &
Waite Arboretum, Urrbrae, Adelaide.
ID and impacts – Jarava plumosa
Declared
Gamba grass • Very large straight clumping tufted grass - 5 m tall• hairy stems and veins on leaves• A big fire risk!• Similar to Cane sugar• Spread by seed • Not yet in SA…
ID and impacts – Andropogon gayanus
Declared WoNS
ID and impacts – Andropogon gayanus
ID and impacts – Melinis repensRed Natal Grass
Data from AVH Jan 2017
• You can collect a fresh or pressed specimen for identification by an expert at your NRM Board
• You can collect a pressed specimen for identification by an expert at the State Herbarium.
• Local Officer contact details
(Step 1). Collect the plant
Collecting and pressing a plant for identification by a grass specialist
• What plant parts to collect and how…• What information to record
• Habit - what it looks and smells like when alive and growing
• Habitat where plant grows and abundance
(Step 1). Pressing a plant
(Step 1). Pressing a plant
Representative parts for grasses… Just one or a few stems from root to flower
• Flowers (Important)
• Roots
• Stem
• Leaves (arrangement on stem)
• Press in paper to flatten and dry the plant out.
(Step 1). Pressing a plant
• Your name
• Date collected (uprooted)
• Location in words
• GPS
• Habitat
• Frequency
• Habit
• Flower colour
• Any additional / helpful information
(Step 1). Pressing a plant
• NRM Officers and agronomists are good sources of information
• Submission to SA Herbarium
Internet resources• Grasses of Australia - Ausgras 2
identification tool • Weeds of Australia Identification tool• Australia's Virtual Herbarium• GRDC Ute guide• Atlas of Living Australia
Identification – Resources
• Prevention• Eradication• Containment• Asset based protection
• Feasibility and cost effectiveness of each goal based on circumstances
• SMART Objectives
Step 2. Determine Objectives
Roadside Weed Control
• Choose your control methods- consider feasibility, cost effectiveness
• Legal considerations
• Possible ‘side effects’ of removing weeds
• Integrated weed management (IWM) –what is it and why is it important
Step 3. Develop Plan
• Discuss options with NRM staff• Work with neighbours wherever
possible• Landscape approach is much more
effective• Are there regional programs?
(Step 3). Working with Others
• NRM Act 2004- your obligation to manage declared plants
• Other Acts• Agricultural and Veterinary Products
(control of use) Act 2012• Native Vegetation Act 1991• Fire and Emergency Services Act 2005• Roadside Weed Control
(Step 3). Legal considerations
(Step 3). Work Health and Safety
• Work Health and Safety Act 2012• You have a duty of care to employees and people working
on your property• YOUR welfare is also important• Risks of working with equipment, machinery, chemicals
• Mechanical• Chemical • Biological• Cultural
Weed control appWeed Control Handbook
(Step 3). Management Options
Mechanical Methods
Chemical Methods
Right: wick wipingBelow right: aerial application
Below: spot spraying
Biological Control
• Selection and implementation of biological controls requires extensive research
• Several rust fungi have been investigated• Currently no biological controls for grasses in Australia
Cultural Methods• Grazing management (competitive
pastures)• Property hygiene
Entry pathways for grass species• Livestock – internal & external• Contaminated feed, seed, hay and fodder• Vehicles & machinery• Humans and pets• Soil • Wind & water
Preventing Weed Spread
Preventing Weed Spread
Property hygiene- Ensure vehicles that enter your property are free of weed seed- Quarantine new stock in ‘sacrificial paddock’- Know where your hay and fodder comes from - Work from clean areas to infested areas when controlling- farm biosecurity website
• Conduct control efforts at times when maximum effectiveness is likely.
• Timing linked to;• Lifecycles of the pests• Availability of resources • Protection of assets
(Step 3). Timing of Control
• Use your plan and implement actions
• Communicate with neighbours, and work together
Step 4. Implement Plan
• Essential part of Integrated Pest Management
• Important to understand if control methods are being successful or not
• Allows the control program to be modified if required
Step 5. Monitor, Evaluate and revise plan
• Numbers• % cover• photopoints
(Step 5). Monitoring methods
(Step 5). Monitoring methods
• Monitor impacts (are the impacts decreasing?)• e.g. poisoning, physical injury, preferential grazing
• Pest plant surveys• e.g. examine likely areas of entry
• Monitor responses to control efforts• e.g. recovery of native flora/fauna species, improved water quality
etc
Reporting Report alert pest plants found on your property to NRM Biosecurity, your regional Natural Resources office or the National Pest Alert hotline:
• NRM Biosecurity phone (08) 8303 9620• Your regional Natural Resource office• National Pest Alert hotline freecall 1800 084 881.
Further InformationRegional Natural Resources websites www.naturalresources.sa.gov.auPIRSA Biosecurity Website http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/biosecurity/weeds_and_pest_animalsCRC Weeds – weed management guidesBest Practice Management Manuals
Local officer contacts (insert if required)
• Impacts of invasive grasses• Identification of key species• Collecting samples• Determine objectives and
develop plan• Preventing weed spread• Control techniques• Monitor and evaluate
Review – key messages
Are there any issues that were recorded earlier that were not addressed?
What ideas and plans do you have for managing pests in your area?
Any other questions?
Review
FEEDBACK AND EVALUATIONPlease take some time to give us your feedback so we can improve this module for future delivery.
Thank you for your participation