Floristic composition and pasture condition of Aristida/Bothriochloa pastures in central Queensland. I. Pasture floristics

2015 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 199 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. G. Silcock ◽  
T. J. Hall ◽  
P. G. Filet ◽  
A. M. Kelly ◽  
D. Osten ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Density ◽  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Quantitative Description ◽  
Floristic Composition ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
True Nature ◽  
Heteropogon Contortus ◽  
Crown Cover ◽  
Native Pastures ◽  
A Site

A survey was conducted in central inland Queensland, Australia of 108 sites that were deemed to contain Aristida/Bothriochloa native pastures to quantitatively describe the pastures and attempt to delineate possible sub-types. The pastures were described in terms of their floristic composition, plant density and crown cover. There were generally ~20 (range 5–33) main pasture species at a site. A single dominant perennial grass was rare with three to six prominent species the norm. Chrysopogon fallax (golden-beard grass) was the perennial grass most consistently found in all pastures whereas Aristida calycina (dark wiregrass), Enneapogon spp. (bottlewasher grasses), Brunoniella australis (blue trumpet) and Panicum effusum (hairy panic) were all regularly present. The pastures did not readily separate into broad floristic sub-groups, but three groups that landholders could recognise from a combination of the dominant tree and soil type were identified. The three groups were Eucalyptus crebra (narrow-leaved ironbark), E. melanophloia (silver-leaved ironbark) and E. populnea (poplar box). The pastures of the three main sub-groups were then characterised by the prominent presence, singly or in combination, of Bothriochloa ewartiana (desert bluegrass), Eremochloa bimaculata (poverty grass), Bothriochloa decipiens (pitted bluegrass) or Heteropogon contortus (black speargrass). The poplar box group had the greatest diversity of prominent grasses whereas the narrow-leaved ironbark group had the least. Non-native Cenchrus ciliaris (buffel grass) and Melinis repens (red Natal grass) were generally present at low densities. Describing pastures in terms of frequency of a few species or species groups sometimes failed to capture the true nature of the pasture but plant abundance for most species, as density, herbage mass of dry matter or plant crown cover, was correlated with its recorded frequency. A quantitative description of an average pasture in fair condition is provided but it was not possible to explain why some species often occur together or fail to co-exist in Aristida/Bothriochloa pastures, for example C. ciliaris and E. bimaculata rarely co-exist whereas Tragus australianus (small burrgrass) and Enneapogon spp. are frequently recorded together. Most crown cover was provided by perennial grasses but many of these are Aristida spp. (wiregrasses) and not regarded as useful forage for livestock. No new or improved categorisation of the great variation evident in the Aristida/Bothriochloa native pasture type can be given despite the much improved detail provided of the floristic composition by this survey.

Satellite derived maps of pasture growth status: association of classification with botanical composition

1997 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 547 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. J. Vickery ◽  
M. J. Hill ◽  
G. E. Donald
Keyword(s):  
Near Infrared ◽  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Vegetation Indices ◽  
Fast Growth ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Bayesian Probability ◽  
Cumulative Probability ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Native Pastures

Summary. Spectral data from the green, red and near-infrared bands of Landsat MSS and Landsat TM satellite imagery acquired in mid-spring were classified into 3 and 6 pasture growth classes respectively. The classifications were compared with a site database of botanical composition for the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales to examine the association between spectral growth class and pasture composition. Pastures ranged in composition from unimproved native perennial grasses through semi-improved mixtures of native and naturalised grasses and legumes to highly improved temperate perennial grasses and legumes. For 3 years of MSS data, the fast growth class had a mean botanical composition of about 80% improved perennial grass and 0% native; medium growth class averaged 46% improved perennial grass and 14% native; while the slow growth class had about 60% native and 1% improved perennial grass when averaged over 3 years of MSS data. For the 6 class TM data from a single year, a predictive logistic regression of cumulative probability was developed for percentage of ‘very fast’ growth pixels and ordered 10 percentile categories of improved perennial grass or native grass. Differences in patch characteristics between classes with MSS disappeared with TM reclassified to the same 3 class level. Most probable pasture type was inferred from 3 class MSS and TM data using Bayesian probability analysis. The resulting maps were similar in general appearance but detail was better with the TM data. The pasture growth classification identified highly improved perennial grass pastures and native pastures but sensitivity to intermediate pasture types was poor. Future improvement will come from direct measurement of biophysical characteristics using vegetation indices or inversion of reflectance models.

Increasing the perennial grass component of native pastures through grazing management in the 400 - 600mm rainfall zone of central western NSW

2009 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 369 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Bowman ◽  
Y. Alemseged ◽  
G. J. Melville ◽  
W. J. Smith ◽  
F. Syrch
Keyword(s):  
Weed Control ◽  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Native Grasslands ◽  
Key Species ◽  
Grazing Strategies ◽  
Native Pastures ◽  
Fertiliser Application ◽  
Broadleaf Species

Native grass-based pastures in the 400–600 mm rainfall zone of central NSW are an important basis for extensive grazing industries. However, over time they have been invaded by exotic weeds. This study aimed to evaluate several grazing strategies for the maintenance or improvement of native grasslands based on pasture productivity and species diversity. Seven grazing strategies, ranging from set stocking to permanently removing stock, were employed to evaluate the strategy that would best maintain a high proportion of desirable perennial grass species. Grazing treatments were evaluated based on their effects on pasture composition and on the density of selected key grass species such as Enteropogon acicularis (Lindl.) Lazar. (curly windmill grass). Managing the utilisation of the key desirable species E. acicularis combined with weed control was the most successful strategy in terms of increasing the density of the key species, although no treatment increased the proportion of desirable perennial grasses and desirable broadleaf species. This was followed by a ‘farmer’s choice’ strategy, which involved combining phosphorus fertiliser application, weed control and rest from grazing. In contrast, strategies that involved either a ‘summer lockup’ or ‘weed control’ alone performed poorly. It is concluded that native pastures in this region could be rehabilitated, and their productivity restored, by following strategies that provide rest from grazing, based on the utilisation levels of key, species combined with control of annual weeds.

Changes in fallow weed species in continuous wheat in northern New South Wales 1981-1990

2000 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
pp. 831 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. A. Wicks ◽  
W. L. Felton ◽  
R. D. Murison ◽  
R. J. Martin
Keyword(s):  
Plant Density ◽  
New South ◽  
Perennial Grass ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
No Tillage ◽  
Weed Species ◽  
Wild Oats ◽  
Wild Mustard ◽  
South Wales

Four experiments in northern New South Wales comparing fallow management treatments of no-tillage, cultivated with the stubble retained, and cultivated with the stubble burned, from 1981 to 1990, were sampled for weeds between wheat harvest and seeding on a number of occasions during this period. Eighty weed species were identified, 23 of which were found at all 4 sites but only 13 were recorded in the samples taken. These were dwarf amaranth, wild turnip, spear thistle, Australian bindweed, fleabane, bladder ketmia, prickly lettuce, turnip weed, variegated thistle, common sowthistle, dandelion, wild oats and native millet. The density of weeds during the fallow period decreased by 97% from 1981 to 1990 with some species eliminated, probably because of the herbicides used, particularly glyphosate and chlorsulfuron. These included Boggabri and redroot amaranth, button grass, caustic weed, dense crassula, fat hen, legumes, common peppercress, hedge mustard, London rocket, shepherd’s purse, wild mustard, sorghum-almum, paradoxa grass, wild zinnia, and wireweed. Twenty-four weed species were classified as a problem or a potential problem in the future at 1 or more sites. Seventeen weed species, including perennial grasses, often were tolerant to glyphosate at the rates used. The densities of common sowthistle and wild oat were reduced after 10 years, but still remained at all 4 sites. Plant density of species with wind-blown seeds was greater in no-tillage plots than stubble-retained or stubble-burned plots. Weeds whose seeds are dispersed by wind and weeds tolerant to glyphosate were the most troublesome. The perennial grass native millet increased at all 4 sites.

scholarly journals Native Perennial Grasses in Highway Medians: Pre- and Postplant Techniques for Establishment in a Mediterranean Climate

2008 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 368-375
Author(s):  
Stephen L. Young ◽  
Victor P. Claassen
Keyword(s):  
Plant Density ◽  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Species Selection ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Native Plant ◽  
Grass Establishment ◽  
Grass Growth ◽  
Native Perennial Grass

AbstractWithin highway rights-of-way, native perennial grasses provide desirable services to support natural and human constructed ecosystems. However, native perennial grass establishment in annual grass dominated roadsides of semiarid and Mediterranean climates of the western United States requires specific cultural and chemical management treatments to control weeds. In 2004, field studies were conducted in Sacramento Valley, California to determine the effect of herbicide, disc cultivation, and species selection on native perennial grass establishment and annual weed persistence. Perennial grass species mixes common to drier and wetter upland areas in northern California were drill seeded at two sites (I-5 North and I-5 South) that had been burned in 2003 and received weed control (i.e., herbicide, cultivation, mowing) in spring 2004. Herbicides were the most important treatments for native perennial grass establishment and weed reduction. Native perennial grass species persistence was largely unaffected by cultivation or native plant accessions at these sites. Native perennial grass density increased at I-5 North in the second year of growth (2006) resulting in a plant density totaled across all herbicide regimes of 3.9 plants m−1 compared to 2.5 plants m−1 at I-5 South. Vigorous native perennial grass growth in the more fertile and less droughty soils of I-5 North helped to limit annual weeds through competition, which is anticipated to reduce the need for chemical and mechanical control in years following early establishment.

Effects of nitrogen and phosphorus on vegetation dynamics of a degraded native grassland in semi-arid south-eastern Australia

2011 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 87 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. B. Hacker ◽  
I. D. Toole ◽  
G. J. Melville
Keyword(s):  
Vegetation Dynamics ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Semi Arid

The roles of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in controlling vegetation transitions in a degraded semi-arid grassland were investigated in a factorial experiment that combined two initial levels of perennial plant density (low and high), three levels of N (N+, N0 and N–) and two levels of P (P+ and P0). Increased levels of both N and P were achieved by fertiliser addition while sucrose was used to reduce the level of N. Vegetation dynamics were driven primarily by soil N rather than P. Addition of sucrose, which was inferred to result in the immobilisation of mineral N, reduced the growth of annual species and facilitated the establishment and growth of native perennial grasses. Addition of P generally had no significant effect on dry matter production, either in total or for species grouped as forbs, annual grasses and perennial grasses, or on recruitment and mortality of perennial grasses. However, at some times of observation addition of P increased ground cover and/or the basal circumference of some perennial grass species. Basal circumference for Enteropogon acicularis was also increased by addition of N. Soil biological activity, measured by decomposition of cotton strips, was increased by addition of N, which maintained vegetation in an annual-dominated condition, and was not affected by addition of P. Carbon addition has the potential to assist restoration of this grassland. However, the capacity of some native grass species to respond to increased fertility suggests that once restoration is achieved some increase in fertility may be beneficial for pastoral production.

Studies of competition between Nassella trichotoma (Nees) Hack. ex Arechav. (serrated tussock) and native pastures. 2. Seedling responses

2008 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 237 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. B. Badgery ◽  
D. R. Kemp ◽  
D. L. Michalk ◽  
W. McG. King
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Seedling Recruitment ◽  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Native Grass ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Native Pastures ◽  
Grass Weed ◽  
Native Perennial Grass

Native perennial grass competition can substantially reduce the invasion of Nassella trichotoma (serrated tussock), a major perennial grass weed problem in south-eastern Australia. This paper reports on a field experiment that investigated the recruitment of N. trichotoma seedlings, and determined what level of native grass competition was needed to prevent establishment in the central-west of NSW. Grasslands that maintained >2 t dry matter (DM)/ha and 100% ground cover (measured in spring) prevented N. trichotoma seedling recruitment. Relatively small amounts of perennial grass (>0.5 t DM/ha measured in spring) resulted in mortality of N. trichotoma seedlings that had recruited earlier in the year, through the next summer. Flupropanate also markedly reduced native perennial grasses and substantially increased N. trichotoma seedling establishment 12 months after application. Rotational grazing to maintain adequate levels of DM was an important management tactic that prevented N. trichotoma establishment and survival.

The influence of sowing method on perennial grass establishment. III. Survival and growth of emerged seedlings

1989 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 323 ◽  
Author(s):  
WD Bellotti ◽  
GJ Blair
Keyword(s):  
Seedling Growth ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Herbicide Treatments ◽  
Established Plant ◽  
Survival And Growth ◽  
High Level

'Demeter' tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and 'Victorian' perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) were sown separately into a white clover (Trifolium repens L.) dominant pasture in June 198 1. Eight sowing methods were compared to assess the survival and growth of perennial grasses sown by direct drill sowing methods relative to conventional seedbed and aerial sowing methods. Within direct drill treatments, two drill implements were factorially combined with three herbicide treatments. Sown seedling density decline was approximately linear from the maximum emerged density at 50 days after sowing to the established plant density at 250 days. Established ryegrass density ranged from 104.9 plants m-2 in the cultivated seedbed to 30.0 plants m-2 in the aerial plus herbicide method. Established plant density of fescue in the direct drill sowings was higher for the plus herbicide treatments (56.6-61.6 plants m-2) compared with the minus herbicide treatments (0-6.6 plants m-2). Seedling growth was severely reduced when seeds were direct drilled into unsprayed vegetation. Fescue seedlings in these treatments had failed to develop tillers by 250 days. The distribution of an index of individual seedling size was highly skewed towards smaller seedlings in the direct drill minus herbicide treatments indicating a high level of stress in these treatments. Competition from the unsprayed resident sward was intense and occurred at a very early stage in seedling development. Promotion of rapid early seedling growth through cultivation or herbicides enhanced survival of sown perennial grasses.

Floristic composition and pasture condition of Aristida/Bothriochloa pastures in central Queensland. II. Soil and pasture condition interactions

2015 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 217
Author(s):  
R. G. Silcock ◽  
T. J. Hall ◽  
P. G. Filet ◽  
A. M. Kelly ◽  
D. Osten ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Type ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Surface Condition ◽  
Good Condition ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Tree Cover ◽  
Themeda Triandra ◽  
Heteropogon Contortus

Sustainable management of native pastures requires an understanding of what the bounds of pasture composition, cover and soil surface condition are for healthy pastoral landscapes to persist. A survey of 107 Aristida/Bothriochloa pasture sites in inland central Queensland was conducted. The sites were chosen for their current diversity of tree cover, apparent pasture condition and soil type to assist in setting more objective bounds on condition ‘states’ in such pastures. Assessors’ estimates of pasture condition were strongly correlated with herbage mass (r = 0.57) and projected ground cover (r = 0. 58), and moderately correlated with pasture crown cover (r = 0.35) and tree basal area (r = 0.32). Pasture condition was not correlated with pasture plant density or the frequency of simple guilds of pasture species. The soil type of Aristida/Bothriochloa pasture communities was generally hard-setting, low in cryptogam cover but moderately covered with litter and projected ground cover (30–50%). There was no correlation between projected ground cover of pasture and estimated ground-level cover of plant crowns. Tree basal area was correlated with broad categories of soil type, probably because greater tree clearing has occurred on the more fertile, heavy-textured clay soils. Of the main perennial grasses, some showed strong soil preferences, for example Tripogon loliiformis for hard-setting soils and Dichanthium sericeum for clays. Common species, such as Chrysopogon fallax and Heteropogon contortus, had no strong soil preference. Wiregrasses (Aristida spp.) tended to be uncommon at both ends of the estimated pasture condition scale whereas H. contortus was far more common in pastures in good condition. Sedges (Cyperaceae) were common on all soil types and for all pasture condition ratings. Plants identified as increaser species were Tragus australianus, daisies (Asteraceae) and potentially toxic herbaceous legumes such as Indigofera spp. and Crotalaria spp. Pasture condition could not be reliably predicted based on the abundance of a single species or taxon but there may be scope for using integrated data for four to five ecologically contrasting plants such as Themeda triandra with daisies, T. loliiformis and flannel weeds (Malvaceae).

Ground cover in temperate native perennial grass pastures. II. Relationship with herbage and litter mass

2002 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 301 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. M. Lodge ◽  
S. R. Murphy
Keyword(s):  
Total Mass ◽  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Litter Mass ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Native Pastures ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Relationship

Studies were conducted to examine the relationship between ground cover and herbage mass; ground cover and litter mass; herbage mass and litter mass, and, ground cover and total (herbage and litter) mass for two grazed, native pastures in the high rainfall, temperate rangelands of northern NSW. Ground cover was visually estimated by two experienced observers, litter (unattached plant material) was collected and herbage mass was estimated by harvesting to ground level in 30 quadrats (40 by 40 cm). Data were collected for 16 sampling times at the change of season and from spring 1997 to spring 2000 (a total of 465 quadrats at each site) and examined by regression analysis for the mean data for each level of ground cover and for data from individual quadrats. The relationship between ground cover and herbage, litter or total mass was logarithmic at each site. The logarithmic nature of the relationship reflected the occurrence of low herbage, litter and total mass even when ground cover was 100%. For the mean data, herbage and total mass accounted for 68–77% of the variation in ground cover, but for the individual quadrat data these variables accounted for 42–53% and 43–55%, respectively of this variation. Litter and herbage mass had a low correlation (R2<~0.20) and for the mean data litter mass accounted for around 40–60% of the variation in ground cover, compared with 15–21% for the individual quadrats. Some seasonal differences in these relationships were apparent and these were attributed to the occurrence of annual forb and legume species that had different growth habits to those of the native perennial grasses. For these pastures the data indicated that herbage mass could not be used as a surrogate measure of ground cover or litter mass.

DIETS OF THREE COMMON GRASSHOPPERS (ORTHOPTERA: ACRIDIDAE) INHABITING DESERT GRASSLAND

1988 ◽  
Vol 120 (5) ◽  
pp. 415-424 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. E. Pfadt ◽  
J. A. Lockwood ◽  
T. M. Foppe
Keyword(s):  
Host Plants ◽  
Large Population ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Bouteloua Gracilis ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Mixed Diet ◽  
Desert Grassland ◽  
Grasshopper Species ◽  
Erodium Cicutarium ◽  
A Site

AbstractExamination of crop contents of three species of grasshoppers in outbreak densities on desert grassland of eastern Arizona revealed that all three were ingesting a mixed diet of plants. Crops of nymphal and adult Aulocara elliotti (Thomas) contained an average of 67 and 93% dry weight of grass, respectively, placing this species in both the mixed graminivorous and the graminivorous categories. The preferred host plant of A. elliotti was Bouteloua gracilis (H.B.K.) Lag. but it was not an essential item, as a large population developed in a site where this grass was virtually lacking but other perennial grasses were present. Crops of nymphs and adults of both Melanoplus sanguinipes (Fabricius) and M. cuneatus Scudder contained chiefly forbs (88–100% of dry weight). The principal host plants were Erodium cicutarium (L.) L’Hér., Lupinus brevicaulis Wats., Microsteris gracilis (Hook.) Greene, and Plantago purshii Roem. & Schult. Both species of Melanoplus fit into the forbivorous category and evidence indicated they were in competition with each other for food. All three grasshopper species showed preferences for particular plant species and as a consequence had significantly different frequencies of plant taxa in their crop contents from what were present in the field.

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