Invasive grass identification and management module...• Weeds of Australia Identification tool •...

Invasive grass identificationand management

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IntroductionThis module is part of a series of modules in the Pests Cost Us All project.

The project aims to improve and up date landholder knowledge in pest animal management and weed management across South Australia.

This will be achieved through provision of training and awareness sessions and demonstration sites.

The Pests Cost Us All project is part of the Australian Government’s Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper, the government’s plan for stronger farmers and a stronger economy.

Learning outcomes from this module• Know what invasive grasses could spread to your area• Recognise the impacts of invasive grasses• Know key features to identify exotic vs native grasses • Learn how to collect samples• Understand the benefits of machinery and property hygiene in

preventing grass spread• Select appropriate objectives for invasive grass management • Understand the legal requirements for invasive grass control

Learning outcomes from this module…continued

• Select appropriate management techniques that will result in effective long term grass control

• Employ correct timing of grass management on the property (create a management calendar)

• Assess the effectiveness of grass management activities• Understand options for reporting new species

What other issues would you like to address in relation to invasive grass management on your property?

We will record these and refer to this list throughout the session

Before we start – your issues

1. Define the problem2. Determine objectives3. Develop plan4. Implement plan5. Monitor, evaluate and revise plan

Best practice weed management -key steps

• Correctly identify weed species and understand their biology and ecology

• Set appropriate goals for weed management

• Use a range of methods• Correctly time your activities and apply

long term effort• Monitor, evaluate and adapt

management

Weed Management Principles

• How to identify grasses? • What invasive grasses to look for?

• Introduced grass vs native species?• Help with identifying grasses…(NR and

State Herbarium) • Is it a declared species in SA?• Is it a Weed of National Significance?• Is it an alert species?Identification is an essential first step before control is undertaken…

Step 1. Define the Problem

(Step 1). Identification - Anatomy

Plant characteristics - What does it looks like?

• Growth habit, (size, colour, shape, etc.)

• Flower & seed characteristics (size and shape)

(Step 1). Biology and ecology

1. Annual or perennial?2. Summer active or winter active?3. How does it spread?

Can it regenerate from roots, bulbs, seeds etc.?How long do seeds or propagules remain viable in

soil?4. How fast can it spread?5. Promoted, or controlled by grazing?

(Step 1). What are the Impacts?

• Low nutrient value• Low palatability / digestibility• Poisonous if eaten• Physical injury (toxic or irritating?) • Devalue skins and wool• Change fire regimes (Interactions/ response to fire?)• Outcompete preferred native/pasture species

Buffel grass• Perennial clumps with high seed production –

an aggressive invader• Significant fire threat due to rapid growth rate

and fast maturation• Loss of other vegetation & useful pasture plants

ID and impacts – Cenchrus ciliaris

Declared

Data from AVH Jan 2017

ID and impacts – Cenchrus ciliaris

Adult: purple at base

Flowering spike

Juvenile spikeSeeds dispersed / detached seed

Mature seed spike

ID and impacts – Cenchrus ciliaris

ID – Buffel Grass look-a-likesBirdwood grass-Cenchrus setiger

Data from AVH Jan 2017

ID – Buffel Grass look-a-likes

Introduced Setaria verticillata –pigeon grass (right)

Native Enneapogonspecies - Black-heads (left)

ID – Buffel Grass look-a-likes

Native Mitchell grass –Astrebla pectinata

ID – Buffel Grass look-a-likes

Introduced Chloris gayana –Rhodes grass (right)

Introduced Cenchrus setaceus –Pennisetum orFountain grass (left)

Also known as Buffel grass • ID and threat status - same as Cenchrus

ciliaris• Seed heads are slightly different

- not as soft and hairy & darker in colour

ID and impacts – Cenchrus pennisetiformis

Declared

Data from AVH Jan 2017

Innocent weed• fast-growing annual grasses that produce

spiny burrs• pest plant in pastures and irrigated crops

ID and impacts – Cenchrus longispinusand C. incertus

Declared

Data from AVH Jan 2017

ID and impacts - Cenchrus macrourus(Pennisetum macrourum) - African feathergrass

Declared

Data from AVH Jan 2017

ID and impacts – Cenchrus setaceus(Pennisetum setaceum) - Fountain grass

Declared

Data from AVH Jan 2017

ID and impacts – Cenchrus longisetus (Pennisetum villosum) -Feather-top grass

Data from AVH Jan 2017

Pampas grasses • Large (gigantic) perennial

tussock

ID and impacts – Cortaderia species

Declared

Data from AVH Jan 2017

ID and impacts- Nassella leucotrichaTexas needlegrass• Perennial tussock forming

grass, up to 1m high • Found in: AMLR (Belair,

Clarendon, Scott Creek, Mt Bold)SE (Penola)

Declared

Nassella leucotrichaNative spear-grass seed

Data from AVH Jan 2017

ID and impacts – Nassella neesiana

Chilean needlegrass• Perennial tussock forming C3 grass, up to 1m high

CNG ID Video

WoNS

Above: purple glumes

Declared Data from AVH Jan 2017

ID and impacts – Nassella neesiana

Above: distinctive ring of hairs known as the corona

ID and impacts – Nassella tenuissima

Mexican feathergrass• Perennial grass forming dense tussocks• Extremely vigorous invasive plant

Data from AVH Jan 2017

ID and impacts- Nassella tenuissima

ID and impacts – Nassella trichotomaSerrated tussock• Perennial, reproduces by seed• Will significantly reduce carrying capacity

Left: tussock. Right: Old leaves with fawn coloured tips

WoNSDeclared

Data from AVH Jan 2017

ID and impacts- Nassella trichotoma

ID and impacts- Nassella hyalinaCane needlegrass• Perennial tussock forming grass

Corona

Declared

Data from AVH Jan 2017

ID and impacts- Nassella seeds

ID and impacts- Nassella seeds

ID – Nassella look-a-likesNative spear grasses-Austrostipa species

ID – Nassella look-a-likes• Nassella species have a corona where the seed and awn meet. • The corona is contained in the red circle below (in Chilean needle grass) • Native spear-grasses have no corona. Awn and seed grade into each other. • Native spear grass pictured below lacking a corona

ID and impacts – Eragrostis curvulaAfrican lovegrass• large perennial tussocks that grow to between 30 and

120 cm high

Declared

Data from AVH Jan 2017

ID – Eragrostis curvula look-a-likes

Piptatherum miliaceum – Rice millet

Eragrostis trichophora

ID and impacts – Hyparrhenia hirta

Coolatai grass• long lived summer active perennial tussock

Data from AVH Jan 2017

Plumerillo• long lived summer active perennial tussock• Only seen in AMLR in Adelaide Parklands &

Waite Arboretum, Urrbrae, Adelaide.

ID and impacts – Jarava plumosa

Declared

Gamba grass • Very large straight clumping tufted grass - 5 m tall• hairy stems and veins on leaves• A big fire risk!• Similar to Cane sugar• Spread by seed • Not yet in SA…

ID and impacts – Andropogon gayanus

Declared WoNS

ID and impacts – Andropogon gayanus

ID and impacts – Melinis repensRed Natal Grass

Data from AVH Jan 2017

• You can collect a fresh or pressed specimen for identification by an expert at your NRM Board

• You can collect a pressed specimen for identification by an expert at the State Herbarium.

• Local Officer contact details

(Step 1). Collect the plant

Collecting and pressing a plant for identification by a grass specialist

• What plant parts to collect and how…• What information to record

• Habit - what it looks and smells like when alive and growing

• Habitat where plant grows and abundance

(Step 1). Pressing a plant

(Step 1). Pressing a plant

Representative parts for grasses… Just one or a few stems from root to flower

• Flowers (Important)

• Roots

• Stem

• Leaves (arrangement on stem)

• Press in paper to flatten and dry the plant out.

(Step 1). Pressing a plant

• Your name

• Date collected (uprooted)

• Location in words

• GPS

• Habitat

• Frequency

• Habit

• Flower colour

• Any additional / helpful information

(Step 1). Pressing a plant

• NRM Officers and agronomists are good sources of information

• Submission to SA Herbarium

Internet resources• Grasses of Australia - Ausgras 2

identification tool • Weeds of Australia Identification tool• Australia's Virtual Herbarium• GRDC Ute guide• Atlas of Living Australia

Identification – Resources

• Prevention• Eradication• Containment• Asset based protection

• Feasibility and cost effectiveness of each goal based on circumstances

• SMART Objectives

Step 2. Determine Objectives

Roadside Weed Control

• Choose your control methods- consider feasibility, cost effectiveness

• Legal considerations

• Possible ‘side effects’ of removing weeds

• Integrated weed management (IWM) –what is it and why is it important

Step 3. Develop Plan

• Discuss options with NRM staff• Work with neighbours wherever

possible• Landscape approach is much more

effective• Are there regional programs?

(Step 3). Working with Others

• NRM Act 2004- your obligation to manage declared plants

• Other Acts• Agricultural and Veterinary Products

(control of use) Act 2012• Native Vegetation Act 1991• Fire and Emergency Services Act 2005• Roadside Weed Control

(Step 3). Legal considerations

(Step 3). Work Health and Safety

• Work Health and Safety Act 2012• You have a duty of care to employees and people working

on your property• YOUR welfare is also important• Risks of working with equipment, machinery, chemicals

• Mechanical• Chemical • Biological• Cultural

Weed control appWeed Control Handbook

(Step 3). Management Options

Mechanical Methods

Chemical Methods

Right: wick wipingBelow right: aerial application

Below: spot spraying

Biological Control

• Selection and implementation of biological controls requires extensive research

• Several rust fungi have been investigated• Currently no biological controls for grasses in Australia

Cultural Methods• Grazing management (competitive

pastures)• Property hygiene

Entry pathways for grass species• Livestock – internal & external• Contaminated feed, seed, hay and fodder• Vehicles & machinery• Humans and pets• Soil • Wind & water

Preventing Weed Spread

Preventing Weed Spread

Property hygiene- Ensure vehicles that enter your property are free of weed seed- Quarantine new stock in ‘sacrificial paddock’- Know where your hay and fodder comes from - Work from clean areas to infested areas when controlling- farm biosecurity website

• Conduct control efforts at times when maximum effectiveness is likely.

• Timing linked to;• Lifecycles of the pests• Availability of resources • Protection of assets

(Step 3). Timing of Control

• Use your plan and implement actions

• Communicate with neighbours, and work together

Step 4. Implement Plan

• Essential part of Integrated Pest Management

• Important to understand if control methods are being successful or not

• Allows the control program to be modified if required

Step 5. Monitor, Evaluate and revise plan

• Numbers• % cover• photopoints

(Step 5). Monitoring methods

(Step 5). Monitoring methods

• Monitor impacts (are the impacts decreasing?)• e.g. poisoning, physical injury, preferential grazing

• Pest plant surveys• e.g. examine likely areas of entry

• Monitor responses to control efforts• e.g. recovery of native flora/fauna species, improved water quality

etc

Reporting Report alert pest plants found on your property to NRM Biosecurity, your regional Natural Resources office or the National Pest Alert hotline:

• NRM Biosecurity phone (08) 8303 9620• Your regional Natural Resource office• National Pest Alert hotline freecall 1800 084 881.

Further InformationRegional Natural Resources websites www.naturalresources.sa.gov.auPIRSA Biosecurity Website http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/biosecurity/weeds_and_pest_animalsCRC Weeds – weed management guidesBest Practice Management Manuals

Local officer contacts (insert if required)

• Impacts of invasive grasses• Identification of key species• Collecting samples• Determine objectives and

develop plan• Preventing weed spread• Control techniques• Monitor and evaluate

Review – key messages

Are there any issues that were recorded earlier that were not addressed?

What ideas and plans do you have for managing pests in your area?

Any other questions?

Review

FEEDBACK AND EVALUATIONPlease take some time to give us your feedback so we can improve this module for future delivery.

Thank you for your participation