A Comparative Review of Six Invasive <i>Nassella</i> Species in Australia with Implications for Their Management
Two <i>Nassella</i> species, <i>Nassella trichotoma</i> and <i>Nassella neesiana</i>, have significantly reduced the carrying capacity of Australia’s south-east rangelands and agricultural systems. It is, therefore, of considerable concern that four other <i>...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-05-01
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| Series: | Plants |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/10/6/1036 |
| _version_ | 1797533235940425728 |
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| author | Talia Humphries Singarayer K. Florentine |
| author_facet | Talia Humphries Singarayer K. Florentine |
| author_sort | Talia Humphries |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Two <i>Nassella</i> species, <i>Nassella trichotoma</i> and <i>Nassella neesiana</i>, have significantly reduced the carrying capacity of Australia’s south-east rangelands and agricultural systems. It is, therefore, of considerable concern that four other <i>Nassella</i> species have also become naturalised in Australia, and are noted to share many of the ecological features of the two currently widespread species. This paper reviews the distribution, ecology, and impacts of all six <i>Nassella</i> species, which are currently naturalised in Australia, and makes recommendations toward a blanket <i>Nassella</i> control program. The review highlights observed similarities between the species, including the time of flowering, seed type, germination requirements, and growth morphology. These common factors support the possibility that an integrated <i>Nassella</i> control program could be designed to integrate good grazing management with cultural control methods, such as soil cultivation, fire, and native plant competition, with treatments being implemented prior to the common annual seed maturation period. Notwithstanding the success of these integrated programs, it is recognised that seeds of all species may remain viable in the seedbank for up to 12 years, meaning ongoing monitoring and management will be required. To develop even finer control programs, further research into the ecology of these <i>Nassella</i> species is recommended to determine any additional weak spots in these species’ defences, and to subsequently develop and apply novel integrated control methods that target all six species. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T11:11:40Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d37ff8ed2f57484488d1694286a68619 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2223-7747 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T11:11:40Z |
| publishDate | 2021-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Plants |
| spelling | doaj.art-d37ff8ed2f57484488d1694286a686192023-11-21T20:44:37ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472021-05-01106103610.3390/plants10061036A Comparative Review of Six Invasive <i>Nassella</i> Species in Australia with Implications for Their ManagementTalia Humphries0Singarayer K. Florentine1Future Regions Research Centre, School of Science, Psychology and Sport, Federation University Australia, Mount Helen, VIC 3350, AustraliaFuture Regions Research Centre, School of Science, Psychology and Sport, Federation University Australia, Mount Helen, VIC 3350, AustraliaTwo <i>Nassella</i> species, <i>Nassella trichotoma</i> and <i>Nassella neesiana</i>, have significantly reduced the carrying capacity of Australia’s south-east rangelands and agricultural systems. It is, therefore, of considerable concern that four other <i>Nassella</i> species have also become naturalised in Australia, and are noted to share many of the ecological features of the two currently widespread species. This paper reviews the distribution, ecology, and impacts of all six <i>Nassella</i> species, which are currently naturalised in Australia, and makes recommendations toward a blanket <i>Nassella</i> control program. The review highlights observed similarities between the species, including the time of flowering, seed type, germination requirements, and growth morphology. These common factors support the possibility that an integrated <i>Nassella</i> control program could be designed to integrate good grazing management with cultural control methods, such as soil cultivation, fire, and native plant competition, with treatments being implemented prior to the common annual seed maturation period. Notwithstanding the success of these integrated programs, it is recognised that seeds of all species may remain viable in the seedbank for up to 12 years, meaning ongoing monitoring and management will be required. To develop even finer control programs, further research into the ecology of these <i>Nassella</i> species is recommended to determine any additional weak spots in these species’ defences, and to subsequently develop and apply novel integrated control methods that target all six species.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/10/6/1036<i>Nassella</i>weedsmanagementinvasive species |
| spellingShingle | Talia Humphries Singarayer K. Florentine A Comparative Review of Six Invasive <i>Nassella</i> Species in Australia with Implications for Their Management Plants <i>Nassella</i> weeds management invasive species |
| title | A Comparative Review of Six Invasive <i>Nassella</i> Species in Australia with Implications for Their Management |
| title_full | A Comparative Review of Six Invasive <i>Nassella</i> Species in Australia with Implications for Their Management |
| title_fullStr | A Comparative Review of Six Invasive <i>Nassella</i> Species in Australia with Implications for Their Management |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Comparative Review of Six Invasive <i>Nassella</i> Species in Australia with Implications for Their Management |
| title_short | A Comparative Review of Six Invasive <i>Nassella</i> Species in Australia with Implications for Their Management |
| title_sort | comparative review of six invasive i nassella i species in australia with implications for their management |
| topic | <i>Nassella</i> weeds management invasive species |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/10/6/1036 |
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