Best practise management of Chilean needle grass (Nassella neesiana)in conservation reserves - the seedbank story
Louise BeamesA, Colin HockingB and Peter WlodarczykA
A Native Vegetation Management Services (GAGIN Pty. Ltd.), 50 School Road, Balliang East, Victoria 3340, Australia.
B Sustainability Group, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Technology, Victoria University, St. Albans Campus, PO Box 14428, MCMC, Victoria 8001, Australia.
Summary
The viable seedbank and capacity for recruitment of Nassella neesiana was greatly reduced at two management sites west of Melbourne, Victoria. These sites have been subjected to four or more years of ongoing, consistent and selective herbicide management, operating under typical unpredictable budgetary constraints and delays. N. neesiana infestations had high numbers of seed in the seedbank, however this was significantly reduced within management areas. The seedbank did not appear to be as prolific as originally estimated and was comprised of large amounts of unviable seed and unsuccessful germinating seed across all areas. Significantly more potentially viable seed and more successful germinants were found outside management areas. No significant difference was found between the seedbanks under different types of management within the Laverton site, though some were found at Melbourne Airport. Further investigation of the recruitment of N. neesiana may show that different management strategies have varying impacts upon the emergence of germinants from the seed bank or seed production.
Plant Protection Quarterly (2005) 20 (1) 2-8.