Establishment of Warm- and Cool-Season Native Perennial Grasses on the North-West Slopes of New South Wales. I. Dormancy and Germination

1981 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 111 ◽  
Author(s):  
GM Lodge ◽  
RDB Whalley
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Cool Season ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
South Wales ◽  
High Germination ◽  
Ecological Implications

The dormancy and germination of two groups of native perennial grasses were investigated in caryopses or dispersal units. The species were the warm-season native perennial grasses Aristida ramosa R.Br., Bothriochloa macra (Steud.) S. T . Blake. Dichanthium sericeum (R.Br.) Camus, Sporobolus elongatus R.Br., Eragrostis leptostachya Steud., Chloris truncata R.Br. and the cool-season species Stipa variabilis Hughes and Danthonia linkii Kunth. Optimum temperatures for germination were 20-35°C for A . ramosa; 15-35° for D. sericeum and C. Truncata; 20-25° for E. leptostachya; 20-30° for B. macra and S. elongatus and 15-25° for D. linkii and S . Variabilis. At 1O° and 40° D. linkii and A. ramosa respectively were the only species that had high germination percentages. Removal of the lemma and palea from freshly harvested units of A. ramosa, B. macra, D. sericeum, C. Truncata and S. variabilis significantly increased germination. In units stored at 12-27°C there was a breakdown in dormancy after 2-3 months in A. ramosa and B. macra and after 9 months in S. elongatus. In the germination of D. sericeum and D. linkii the lemma and palea appeared to have a long-term inhibitory role. Twenty-week-old whole dispersal units of B. macra, S. elongatus and E. leptostachya and 40-week-old units of S. elongatus and E. leptostachya had an obligate light requirement for germination. The ecological implications of these data in the successful germination of natural seed falls and artificial seedings are discussed.

Establishment of Warm- and Cool-Season Native Perennial Grasses on the North-West Slopes of New South Wales. Ii. Establishment and Seedling Survival in the Field

1981 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 121 ◽  
Author(s):  
GM Lodge
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Cool Season ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Native Pastures

Emergence and survival of the seedlings of warm-season native perennial grasses Aristida ramosa R.Br., Bothriochloa macra (Steud.) S . T. Blake, Dichanthium sericeum (R.Br.) Camus, Sporobolus elongatus R.Br., Eragvostis leptostachya Steud. and Chloris truncata R.Br. and the cool-season species Stipa variabilis Hughes and Danthonia linkii Kunth were studied in both native pastures and sown monospecific plots on the north- west slopes of New South Wales. The most favourable period for the successful emergence and establishment of warm-season grasses was from mid summer to early autumn. Cool-season native perennial grasses established best from seedlings that appeared from mid autumn to late winter. Few seedlings were observed to germinate in spring, probably as a result of large variations in temperature, low minimum temperatures or intra and interspecific competition. Seedlings growing in native pasture spent long periods in the vegetative phase compared to the early flowering of seedlings in the sown plots. In the pasture studied only two seedlings flowered over 700 days after emergence, and many others after persisting for up to 2 years died without producing seed. These findings indicate that the seedlings in these native pastures were under considerable stress and that the adult populations of the species examined were relatively stable and little recruitment occurred.

Seasonal variations in the herbage mass, crude protein and in-vitro digestibility of native perennial grasses on the north-west slopes of New South Wales.

1983 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
GM Lodge ◽  
RDB Whalley
Keyword(s):  
Crude Protein ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Green Leaf ◽  
Dead Leaf ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Autumn And Winter

Seasonal variations in herbage mass, crude protein content and in-vitro organic matter digestibility of both the warm-season (summer-growing) native perennial grasses, Aristida mrnosa R.Br., Bothriochloa macra (Steud) S.T. Blake, Dichanthium sericeum R.Br. (Camus), Sporobolus elongatus RBI., Chloris truncata R.Br. and Eragrostis leptostachya Steud, and the year-long-green perennial grasses Stipa variabilis Hughes and Danthonia linkii Kunth were investigated at three sites on the North-West Slopes of New South Wales. These preliminary data were used to assess the relative grazing value of the dominant grasses in the region, although these initial rankings can only be confirmed by diet selection and animal production studies. The eight grasses tested were classified into three groups with respect to their green leaf mass per unit basal area throughout the year: (i) Aristida ramosa, Bothriochloa macra, Dichanthium sericeum and Sporobolus elongatus had low amounts of green leaf in winter and their green leaf mass in summer was related to rainfall. (ii) Chloris truncata and Eragrostis leptostachya showed considerably less seasonal variation in the amount of green leaf and had a higher percentage of green leaf than (i). (iii) Stipa variabilis and Danthonia linkii had the lowest variation in green leaf, and in winter and spring they generally had higher green leaf masses than the other groups. Among the warm-season and year-long-green grasses the green leaf crude protein content varied between 5 and 15% throughout summer and autumn and from 6 to 17% in winter and spring. In all seasons dead leaf crude protein contents were around 5% and dead stem crude protein contents were consistently less than 6%. Irrespective of species the digestibilities of the green leaf portions were higher in spring and summer (60 to 80%) than in autumn and winter (50 to 60%). At each of the ~ites the digestibility ofDanthonia linkii green leaf material was generally higher than 60% in all seasons, but that ofStipa variabilis green leaf was always less than 60%. Estimates of green stem digestibility ranged from as low as 25% for Avistida ramosa in autumn to around 60% for most other species in spring. Digestibilities of dead leaf ranged from 30 to 55%, those of dead stem ranged from 20 to 40%. These results indicate that Danthonia linkii is potentially valuable for grazing and that Aristida ramosa is an undesirable pasture species. Of the other grasses tested Chloris truncata and Eragrostis leptostachya may produce some green forage in autumn and winter but at these times the green forage production of Aristida ramosa, Bothriochloa macra, Dichanthium sericeum and Sporobolus elon- gatus is limited by low temperatures.

2. On a New Species of Manna, from New South Wales.

1851 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 239-240
Author(s):  
Thomas Anderson
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Chemical Constitution ◽  
A New Species

About thirty years ago a species of manna, obtained from the Eucalyptus Mannifera, was brought from New South Wales, and was examined by Dr Thomas Thomson, and afterwards by Professor Johnston, both of whom ascertained it to contain a new species of sugar, different from the mannite which exists in ordinary manna. The author had, through the kindness of Mr Sheriff Cay, an opportunity of examining a very different species of manna, remarkable both from its chemical constitution, and from its possessing a definitely organised structure. This substance was discovered by Mr Robert Cay in 1844, in the interior of Australia Felix, to the north and north-west of Melbourne, where it occurs at certain seasons on the leaves of the Mallee plant, Eucalyptus Dumosa, and is known to the natives by the name of Lerp.

The nutrient status and cultivation practices of the soils of the North-West wheat belt of NSW.

1954 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 422 ◽  
Author(s):  
EG Hallsworth ◽  
FR Gibbons ◽  
TH Lemerle
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
New South ◽  
Nutrient Status ◽  
North West ◽  
Nitrogen Levels ◽  
The North ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Cultivation Practices ◽  
North Western ◽  
Available Phosphate

A study has been made of the nitrogen, organic carbon, phosphate, and pH levels of the wheat soils of north-western New South Wales, and the cultivation practices adopted. They are found generally to be high in both total and available phosphate, and particularly high figures for available phosphate, over 1000 p.p.m., were found in limited areas. The nitrogen levels of the virgin chernozemic soils are distinctly higher than those of the red-brown earths and red solodic soils, but soils of all groups show a decline with cultivation, which is most rapid in the first 10 years. The introduction of periods under lucerne raises the nitrogen level, but the wheat/grazed fallow or wheat/grazing oats appear to cause the same nitrogen losses as are encountered under continuous wheat, in spite of the prevalence of stubble burning which inevitably accompanies this practice. The average yields of wheat on the chernozemic soils are distinctly higher than those obtained on the red-brown earths and red solodic soils, on some of which nitrogen appears to be limiting.

Vegetation changes after fire on two land systems in arid North-west New South Wales.

1985 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 80 ◽  
Author(s):  
WE Mulham
Keyword(s):  
Arid Zone ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Summer Rainfall ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Dune System ◽  
Erosion Risk ◽  
North West ◽  
South Wales

Following a sequence of favourable years in which pasture growth over much of the arid zone of Australia reached very high ievels, controlled burns were carried out on two contrasting vegetation types in the extreme north-west of New South Wales. A wheei-point apparatus was used to measure subse- quent changes in botanical composition and foliage cover over a four year period. On a pasture periodically dominated by Mitchell grass (Astrebla spp.) burning while growing conditions were favourable resulted in only a small long- term decrease in the cover of Mitchell grass. In the short-term all chenopod species were eliminated and a wider range and greater abundance of annual forbs were promoted in the following spring. On a similar area burned by wildfire in a year of low summer rainfall the response from Mitchell grass was much poorer and botanical composition of the pasture present in the following spring differed from that which developed in the spring following the controlled burn. It also differed from that of the unburnt pasture. The major differences were due to the response of forb species and are attributed to variation in seasonal rainfall. On a dune-system pasture the dominant grasses were species of Aristida and Enneapogon. These are relatively short-lived and appear to have little ability to regrow from the butt after fire. Their slow regeneration after the burn was reflected in the substantial increase in relative abundance of perennial forbs in the following autumn, and of annual forbs the next spring. Although fire appeared to have no long-term effect on the pasture it dramatically reduced tree and shrub numbers. It is suggested that during years in which abnormal quantities of Mitchell grass are present in this region, controlled burning could be a useful form of management. A mosaic of patches burnt at different times would reduce the potential for wide-scale wildfires, provide refuge areas for stock and wildlife in the event of wildfire, and promote a wider choice of plant material for grazing animals. However, in dune-systems vegetation, removal of the pasture cover and reduction of the tree and shrub density would constitute an erosion risk.

Effect of fertility level on the yield of some native perennial grasses on the North-West Slopes, New South Wales.

1979 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 327 ◽  
Author(s):  
GM Lodge
Keyword(s):  
Field Experiments ◽  
Maximum Yield ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Fertility Level ◽  
Native Grasses ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Significant Yield ◽  
Pot Culture

The effect of fertility on the yields of native perennial grasses was investigated in pot culture and field experiments. Yields of six native perennial grasses and Paspalum dilatatum Poir were determined in the glasshouse at five levels of applied phosphorus (P), sulphur (S) and nitrogen (N) and in the field the biomass of individual tussocks of eight native grasses was compared. In pot culture the maximum yields of the native perennial grasses with P, S and N applied were 15 to 75% lower than those of P. dilatatum. Within the native grasses there were significant yield differences: Bothriochloa macra (Steud) S.T. Blake, Chloris truncata R.Br. and Dichanthium sericeum (R. Br.) Camus yielded up to twice as much dry matter as either Aristida ramosa R.Br., Sporobolus elongatus R.Br. or Eragrostis leptostachya Steud. These data indicate that P, S and N are all essential for maximum yield of some native grasses, and large imbalances in the level of these nutrients resulted in seedling mortalities in most native grasses.

Studies in the ecology of the Riverine Plain. IV. Basal area and density changes of Danthonia caespitosa Gaudich, in a natural pasture grazed by sheep

1968 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 565 ◽  
Author(s):  
OB Williams
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Substantial Effect ◽  
Steady State Condition ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Natural Pasture

The changes in basal area and density of Danthonia caespitosa were measured over the 9-year period 1949-1957 by charting permanent quadrats in plots which were ungrazed, and lightly, moderately, and heavily grazed. Compared with the control, the grazing treatments had no effect on basal area, and a significant but not substantial effect on the contribution made by the various age groups of the dominant grass. There were no real differences between the age groups of D. caespitosa on continuously and intermittently grazed treatments, and it is suggested that the design of grazing experiments might be simplified, cognizance being given to the stage of degeneration reached by the pasture, and to the possibility that seasonal deferment procedures might cause substantial changes in botanical composition.. In the autumn or winter of 1951 the mature population of D. caespitosa was almost wiped out and the build-up of basal area and density over the 1951-1957 period was very slow. Dry summers and the late arrival of the opening rains in autumn appeared to be responsible for substantial losses in D. caespitosa. Abnormally high rainfall during the preceding growth season appeared to accentuate these losses. In the gilgai microrelief death rates were greater on the depression than on the shelf. It is suggested that the D. caespitosa grassland was degraded, and reached a "steady state" condition under the influence of cattle, sheep, rabbits, and drought. If grazing treatments are to induce changes in such a plant population, such treatments must be a wide departure from the previous procedures which have given rise to the existing plant community. The results are discussed in relation to grazing experiments in Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, and the north-west of Western Australia.

Studies on the Yellow-Footed Rock-Wallaby, Petrogale xanthopus Gray (Marsupialia : Macropodidae) I. Distribution in South Australia

1983 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 47 ◽  
Author(s):  
PB Copley
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
South Australia ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
European Settlement ◽  
Introduced Herbivores ◽  
Flinders Ranges ◽  
South Wales

Petrogale xanthopus still occurs over most of its former range in South Australia. It is widespread in the Flinders Ranges, where almost 200 colonies are now known, and is locally common in areas of both the Rinders Ranges and Olary Hills. Six colonies are currently known in the western Gawler Ranges with an outlying population on Carriewerloo Station only 50 km west of Port Augusta. Seven colonies have been found in the Olary Hills, to the north and north-west of Olary. The species has suffered a major decline in abundance since European settlement, having become extinct locally throughout this range. Hunting for skins, competition with introduced herbivores for food and shelter, and predation by foxes seem to be the main reasons for this decline. However, it is still not possible to say whether the species currently has a decreasing population and is at risk, is in equilibrium, or is increasing. Information published in this paper and current studies in South Australia and New South Wales should soon determine this.

Performance of some perennial grasses on severely salinised sites on the inland slopes of New South Wales

2003 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 357 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. S. Semple ◽  
I. A. Cole ◽  
T. B. Koen
Keyword(s):  
Cynodon Dactylon ◽  
New South ◽  
Perennial Grass ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Growth Potential ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Chloris Gayana

Thirty perennial grass accessions were evaluated for emergence, growth and persistence at 6 severely salinised seepage scalds on the western slopes of New South Wales. Warm-season accessions were sown or planted in spring 1996 and 1997, and cool-season types in autumn 1996 and 1997. Control species, tall wheat grass (Thinopyrum ponticum) and puccinellia (Puccinellia ciliata) were sown in spring and autumn. Plants were monitored over 2 growing seasons. None of the accessions, including the controls, performed well at all sites. Of the accessions established from seed, tall wheat grass was the most reliable in terms of the number of successful establishments but its growth potential was only achieved at a few sites. Some warm-season species (Panicum coloratum, Chloris gayana and Cynodon dactylon) approached their growth potential at some sites but overall rates of establishment were very low. The performance of puccinellia appeared to be adversely affected by low pH. It was concluded that on severely scalded sites, vegetative propagation of stoloniferous–rhizomatous plants, e.g. Pennisetum clandestinum, Paspalum vaginatum and C. gayana, may be the best option.

Listening: An Experimental Study

1977 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 22-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.M. Boyd
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Listening Comprehension ◽  
Minority Groups ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
White Children ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Aboriginal Children

A listening program geared to the interests of rural Aboriginal children was prepared and sent out to two Year S classes in the north-west of New South Wales. The class, with 19 Aboriginals and 4 whites showed measurable gains in listening comprehension at the end of the program. The Experimental Class with one Aboriginal girl and 10 white children did not show improvements in listening until the Aboriginally oriented listening program was terminated. The significance of these results, particularly for minority groups in a classroom, are discussed.

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