Genetic diversity and the utilisation of Acacia species complexes in agroforestry in Western Australia

2003 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 49 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Byrne ◽  
L. Broadhurst
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Genetic Relationships ◽  
Dryland Salinity ◽  
Woody Perennials ◽  
Woody Perennial ◽  
Acacia Species ◽  
Species Complexes ◽  
Agricultural Areas ◽  
High Degree

Dryland salinity is a major problem in the agricultural areas of Western Australia, having significant detrimental impacts in both agricultural and non-agricultural arenas. Development of new woody perennial tree crops is an option for recharge control in the management of salinity and there is a focus on development of native species that are adapted to low-rainfall areas, with potential for commercial production. Acacia is an important genus for utilisation of woody perennials as there is a large number of species occurring in a wide variety of habitats, and many Acacia species are utilised throughout the world for a range of purposes. In Western Australia, the following three species are of interest for development for commercial utilisation in agroforestry plantings: A.�microbotrya, A. acuminata and A. saligna. All three species show a high degree of morphological variation and are likely to consist of several taxa. Lack of understanding of taxonomic entities and their genetic relationships will hinder the utilisation and development of these species. A combined genetic and taxonomic study has defined the morphological and genetic variation within the A. acuminata complex and identified several taxa. Similar studies will also be expected to define taxa within the A. microbotrya and A. saligna complexes.

Potential impacts of poison baiting for introduced house mice on native animals on islands in Jurien Bay, Western Australia

2016 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clifford Bennison ◽  
J. Anthony Friend ◽  
Timothy Button ◽  
Harriet Mills ◽  
Cathy Lambert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Rhodamine B ◽  
Native Species ◽  
House Mice ◽  
Mus Domesticus ◽  
Target Species ◽  
Island Populations ◽  
Delivery Technique ◽  
Poison Baiting ◽  
Competition For Resources

Context House mice (Mus domesticus) are present on Boullanger and Whitlock islands, Western Australia, and could potentially threaten populations of the dibbler (Parantechinus apicalis) and grey-bellied dunnart (Sminthopsis griseoventer) through competition for resources. A workshop in 2007 recommended a study to assess the feasibility of eradicating house mice from the islands by using poison baits and of the risk posed to non-target native species. Aim We aimed to assess the risk to non-target native species if poison baiting was used to eradicate house mice on Boullanger and Whitlock islands. Methods Non-toxic baits containing the bait marker rhodamine B were distributed on Boullanger Island and on the mouse free Escape Island to determine the potential for primary poisoning. Acceptance of baits by mammals was measured through sampling and analysis of whiskers, and by reptiles through observations of dye in faeces. To determine the potential for secondary exposure to poison, the response of dibblers to mouse carcasses was observed using motion-activated cameras. Bait acceptance was compared using two methods of delivery, namely, scattering in the open and delivery in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tubes. A cafeteria experiment of bait consumption by dibblers was also undertaken using captive animals held at the Perth Zoo. Ten dibblers were offered non-toxic baits containing rhodamine B in addition to their normal meals; consumption of bait and the presence of dye in whiskers were measured. Key results Bait acceptance on the islands was high for house mice (92% of individuals) and dibblers (48%) and it was independent of bait-delivery technique. There was no evidence of bait acceptance by grey-bellied dunnarts. Dibblers may consume mice carcasses if available; however, no direct consumption of mice carcasses was observed with movement sensor cameras but one dibbler was observed removing a mouse carcass and taking it away. During the cafeteria experiment, 9 of 10 captive dibblers consumed baits. Conclusions This investigation demonstrated that dibblers consume baits readily and island populations would experience high mortality if exposed to poison baits. Poison baiting could effectively eradicate mice from Boullanger and Whitlock islands but not without mortality for dibblers. Implications Toxic baits could be used to eradicate mice from Boullanger and Whitlock islands, provided that non-target species such as dibblers were temporarily removed from the islands before the application of baits.

Nodulation and performance of exotic and native legumes in Australian soils

2003 ◽  
Vol 51 (5) ◽  
pp. 543 ◽  
Author(s):  
María A. Pérez-Fernández ◽  
Byron B. Lamont
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Treated Soil ◽  
Retama Sphaerocarpa ◽  
Australian Species ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Natural Stands ◽  
High Degree ◽  
Western Australian ◽  
Cytisus Balansae ◽  
New Habitats

Six Spanish legumes, Cytisus balansae, C. multiflorus, C. scoparius, C. striatus, Genista hystrix and Retama sphaerocarpa, were able to form effective nodules when grown in six south-western Australian soils. Soils and nodules were collected from beneath natural stands of six native Australian legumes, Jacksonia floribunda, Gompholobium tomentosum, Bossiaea aquifolium, Daviesia horrida, Gastrolobium spinosum and Templetonia retusa. Four combinations of soils and bacterial treatments were used as the soil treatments: sterile soil (S), sterile inoculated soils (SI), non-treated soil (N) and non-treated inoculated soils (NI). Seedlings of the Australian species were inoculated with rhizobia cultured from nodules of the same species, while seedlings of the Spanish species were inoculated with cultures from each of the Australian species. All Australian rhizobia infected all the Spanish species, suggesting a high degree of 'promiscuity' among the bacteria and plant species. The results from comparing six Spanish and six Australian species according to their biomass and total nitrogen in the presence (NI) or absence (S) of rhizobia showed that all species benefitted from nodulation (1.02–12.94 times), with R.�sphaerocarpa and C. striatus benefiting more than the native species. Inoculation (SI and NI) was just as effective as, or more effective than the non-treated soil (i.e. non-sterile) in inducing nodules. Nodules formed on the Spanish legumes were just as efficient at fixing N2 as were those formed on the Australian legumes. Inoculation was less effective than non-treated soil at increasing biomass but just as effective as the soil at increasing nitrogen content. Promiscuity in the legume–bacteria symbiosis should increase the ability of legumes to spread into new habitats throughout the world.

scholarly journals A Relation Between Snow Cover, Cirrus Cloud, and Freezing Nuclei in the Atmosphere

1956 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 545 ◽  
Author(s):  
EG Bowen
Keyword(s):  
Snow Cover ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Cirrus Cloud ◽  
Nucleus Concentration ◽  
High Degree ◽  
Calendar Dates

It is reasonable to suppose that observations like that of cirrus cloud in the upper air and heavy falls of snow in relatively warm latitudes correspond to the presence of a large number of freezing nuclei in the atmosphere. A 300-year record of snow covering the ground at Tokyo and a 10-year record of cirrus cloud in Western Australia are examined and compared with one year's measurement of freezing nucleus concentration. The curves show a high degree of correlation, and all three tend to maximize on certain calendar dates.

scholarly journals Assessment of genetic diversity in Indian Barnyard millet (Echinochloa spp. complex) using morphological and molecular markers

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 1643-1648 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. P. Moharil ◽  
Dipti Gawai ◽  
N. Dikshit ◽  
M.S. Dudhare ◽  
P. V. Jadhav
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Molecular Markers ◽  
Genetic Improvement ◽  
Molecular Diversity ◽  
Genetic Relationships ◽  
Barnyard Millet ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Cultivated Species ◽  
High Degree

In the present study, morphological and molecular markers (RAPD primers) were used to analyze the genetic diversity and genetic relationships among 21 accessions of Echinochloa spp. complex comprising the wild and cultivated species collected from Melghat and adjoining regions of Vidarbha, Maharashtra. The availability of diverse genetic resources is a prerequisite for genetic improvement of any crop including barnyard millet. A high degree of molecular diversity among the landraces was detected. Among the 21 genotypes, two major groups (A and B) were formed, at 67.28 % similarity, which clearly encompasses 15 accessions of E. frumentacea and 6 accessions of E. colona. Higher similarity was observed in accessions of E. frumentacea. The accessions IC 597322 and IC 597323 also IC 597302 and IC 597304 showed more than 94% similarity among themselves. The classification of genetic diversity has enabled clear-cut grouping of barnyard millet accessions into two morphological races (E. frumentacea and E. colona).

scholarly journals Heterogeneity of the woody flora of swamp forests in southeastern and southern Brazil

Check List ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1359 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruno Coutinho Kurtz ◽  
Elisa Araujo Penna Caris ◽  
Fabio Rubio Scarano
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Conservation Management ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
Hydromorphic Soils ◽  
Tolerant Species ◽  
The Future ◽  
Great Heterogeneity ◽  
Floristic Patterns ◽  
High Degree

Swamp forests are associated with hydromorphic soils and are naturally fragmented in their distribution. Several local phytosociological surveys on the woody flora of these forests have been conducted in southeastern and southern Brazil. We present here a comprehensive floristic list based on these surveys, including 77 families, 211 genera and 518 native species. The richest families were Myrtaceae (78 species), Fabaceae (47) and Lauraceae (38). The richest genera were Eugenia (24), Myrcia (24), Miconia (21) and Ocotea (20). The woody flora of these swamp forests has great heterogeneity, with most species occurring in one or few sites. Their flora is formed by a few flooding specialist or tolerant species, common in many sites, and many other species that come from the surrounding vegetation. Considering the high degree of deforestation in southeastern and southern Brazil, including swamp forests, the floristic patterns presented here can be useful for the future efforts of conservation, management and restoration of these forests.

Selection differentials in a pig dam line group nucleus

1991 ◽  
Vol 1991 ◽  
pp. 143-143
Author(s):  
A. J. Webb ◽  
P.R. Bampton ◽  
R. Mitchell
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Genetic Relationships ◽  
Performance Testing ◽  
Continuous Selection ◽  
Lean Growth ◽  
Selection Decisions ◽  
Growth Selection ◽  
High Degree ◽  
Selection Differentials

Mixed model methods allow genetic merit to be compared directly for pigs measured in different environments or generations. They take into account genetic relationships among all individuals in the population, and allow continuous selection throughout the animal's life. The advantage is more accurate selection in larger populations. The risk is that selection decisions are decentralised to many different sites, requiring a high degree of supervision.In 1986 a “group nucleus” using BLUP and AI was established for a pig dam line in order to improve both litter size and lean growth. Selection occurs at several different stages in the life cycle, and this study examines selection differentials during performance testing together with the loss of differential resulting from visual appraisal.

Management of Chrysanthemoides monilifera subsp. rotundata in Western Australia

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 190-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
John K. Scott ◽  
Kathryn L. Batchelor
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Initial Step ◽  
Buffer Zone ◽  
Industrial Area ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Awareness Campaign ◽  
First Time ◽  
Established Population ◽  
Bitou Bush

AbstractOne of Australia's most serious weeds, Chrysanthemoides monilifera subsp. rotundata (bitou bush) was recently found for the first time in Western Australia as a well established population in Kwinana, a major port and industrial area south of Perth, the State's capital. This population is remote from other bitou bush infestations in Australia and had escaped detection despite extensive surveys in the same State for the other subspecies that is present in Australia, Chrysanthemoides monilifera subsp. monilifera (boneseed). The main reasons it went undetected are thought to be the tightly controlled access to this area because of mineral processing and port activities, the unusual invasion route via a heavy industrial area and the morphological similarity to a native species when it is not flowering. Two surveys defined the core population of 1038 plants that are spread along the coast over a 25-ha semi-circle with about a 500-m (1640 ft) diameter. Subsequent surveys of first a 500 m buffer zone and later a 1-km (0.621 mi) buffer found four additional plants, indicating that there is considerable potential for dispersal. We concluded that the survey has not delimited the distribution because of the potential and evidence for long distance dispersal. Cooperation by the various land managers has led to all plants being killed, as an initial step to management of this species. Other steps to be undertaken include an awareness campaign in the area that would need to be surveyed for delimitation of the spatial distribution and seed bank assessment to measure potential dispersal both in space and through time. It remains to be determined what is the best strategic response: eradication or containment.

Geomorphometric Landscape Analysis of Agricultural Areas and Rangelands of Western Australia

Geopedology ◽  
2016 ◽  
pp. 361-376
Author(s):  
B. Klingseisen ◽  
G. Metternicht ◽  
G. Paulus ◽  
D. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Landscape Analysis ◽  
Agricultural Areas
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