A cooperative research model – biological control of Parkinsonia aculeata and Landcare groups in northern Australia
V.J. Galea1
Summary Parkinsonia, Parkinsonia aculeata L., is a woody shrub, which is classed as a weed of national signifi- cance in Australia. It is considered a major threat to both managed and natural ecosystems. Research into the cause of a dieback disorder in Parkinsonia occurring at locations across northern Australia has identified a range of fungal organisms to be associated with affected plants. Currently, these are be- ing evaluated in conventional field trials at locations in north Queensland and the Northern Territory. A cooperative research model has been developed to allow regional Landcare groups to participate in this research programme. This standardized model for medium-scale trials will enable Landcare groups to establish, monitor and evaluate the performance of a range of potential biological control agents under local conditions. The development of a research kit is a key element of this programme. The kit will include equipment needed to establish the trial and the fungal agents to be evaluated. An instruction manual will outline the procedures required to select an appropriate trial site and provide instructions on inoculation, data collection and ongoing maintenance of the trial. This cooperative approach will both engage and enable Landcare groups in the development of solutions for their regions.
Keywords: cooperation, research, Parkinsonia.
Introduction Biological control of Parkinsonia is a key element of strategic management (van Klinken, 2006). While Parkinsonia, Parkinsonia aculeata L., is a woody shrub, chemical treatment of minor infestations is often effec- which is classed as a Weed of National Significance tive, the establishment of biological control agents may (WoNS) in Australia. It is considered a major threat to promise to give lasting control. both managed and natural ecosystems (Deveze et al., Parkinsonia dieback is a disorder, which causes 2004). Parkinsonia currently infests approximately 1 Parkinsonia plants to dieback from the tips; the leaves million ha of land, mainly along watercourses through- droop, turn brown, but remain attached to the plant, out northern Australia. Parkinsonia severely degrades which eventually dies. Dieback progresses through the economic and environmental value of land that it Parkinsonia populations as a front and kills both adult invades (Deveze et al., 2004). The spread of this spe- and juvenile plants (Diplock et al., 2006). The disease cies threatens biodiversity, the health of river systems appears to be naturally occurring in the Northern Ter- and wetland areas and the productivity of pastoral en- ritory, Western Australia and Central Queensland. terprises (personal observation). It forms dense impen- There appear to be four key fungal organisms associ- etrable thickets, which reduce native fauna habitat and ated with Parkinsonia dieback, which are either native impede mustering activity and stock access to water fungal species, or species that are naturalized and now (Diplock et al., 2006). It replaces native and pasture widespread (Diplock et al., 2006). Field observations species and reduces the carrying capacity and produc- and historical reports suggest that this dieback disorder tivity of pastoral land. has the potential to be harnessed as a self-replicating and potentially, self-dispersing biological control tool. A better understanding of the way in which the fungal 1 School of Land, Crop and Food Sciences, University of Queensland, Gatton Campus, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia
676 A cooperative research model – biological control of Parkinsonia aculeata ment (i.e. environmental stresses, plant density and Parkinsonia trees. Protocols for site and tree selection, age, impact of management practices, fire, etc.) could assessment of critical parameters for tree health, inocu- lead to the development of an integrated management lation and site mapping have been established, but may programme for Parkinsonia involving the use of these be modified after consultation with client groups. potential biological control agents as a key element. There are seven key elements to this programme: Postgraduate research (Diplock et al., 2006) car- ried out by the University of Queensland (UQ) into 1. Development of an instruction manual. An in- the cause of the dieback disorder in Parkinsonia has struction manual will be prepared, outlining the pro- identified a range of fungal organisms to be associated cedures required to select an appropriate trial site with affected plants. A culture bank developed for this and outline the procedure for selecting appropriate project contains over 200 isolates taken from field af- trees, and performing pre- and postinoculation as- fected Parkinsonia plants collected from across north- sessment for size and vigour. The manual will also ern Australia. Within this collection, four key genera provide instructions on how to inoculate trees, pos- (Fusarium, Lasiodiploidia, Phoma and Fusicoccum) tinoculation data collection (both quantitative and have been identified as being widely distributed and are qualitative) and ongoing maintenance of the trial. being treated as organisms of interest. Currently, these 2. Preparation of project kits. Project kits will be four genera are being evaluated in conventional field prepared for each of the cooperator teams. These trials at locations in north Queensland and the North- will include the Instruction Manual along with some ern Territory and in laboratory and glasshouse studies of the materials required to establish the trial, that at UQ. is, the fungal inoculum in a stable form, tree tags, a water squirt bottle, PVC tape to seal the tree wound, flexible tape measure for stem circumference mea- Objectives surement, and additional data sheets. The kits will • To build on previous and ongoing university research be prepared and mailed out as required. Additional and to serve as a model for a national approach for inoculum and tags can be supplied for groups wish- the cooperative development of knowledge and the ing to establish more than one trial site. creation of regional capacity for pathogen-based 3. Running instructional workshops. Two training woody weed biocontrol programmes; workshops/field days will be conducted to outline • To develop a standardized field research model the procedures and rationale for this work as well including training and resources to build the ca- as assessment and data management procedures. pacity of stakeholders to undertake Parkinsonia These workshops will also provide an opportunity dieback trials; to gain information from land and landscape man- • To collect data that will contribute to the long-term agers about Parkinsonia and their expectations from research into Parkinsonia biological control; the cooperative research programme. • To communicate the outcomes of the project to the 4. Ongoing support for trials. Support for trials will community and other researchers; and be available through e-mail and telephone com- • To develop appropriate delivery technologies for munication. A programme coordinator and project Parkinsonia dieback pathogens that will be appro- support officer will be available to visit trial sites in priate for on-ground managers. each region. 5. Use of data. Data collected by cooperators will be used internally in property management planning. Methodology Additionally, data will be shared among groups and also shared with the overall project coordinator to This project involves trials being set up within two Na- contribute to the knowledge base on this biocontrol tional Parkinsonia Management Zones. Thirty sites are system, assisting UQ research. The type of data to to be set up in total with resources available to set up be collected includes plant vigour before and after more sites if required. Fifteen sites will be established inoculation with a pathogen, stem circumference in Zone A (Victoria River District) and 15 in Zone B and symptoms of plant disease such as loss of stem (Barkly region). This project will develop a standard- integrity, presence of basal stem lesions, or other re- ized model for medium-scale trials (based on methods lated symptoms. Collection of (digital) photographic currently used for a PhD programme on Parkinsonia evidence will also be supported. dieback) which will enable Landcare groups to estab- 6. Reporting and communications. Outcomes from lish, monitor and evaluate the performance of a range the trials will be shared by a biannual newsletter of potential biological control agents under local condi- to be distributed by electronic means. Additionally, tions. A support and communication officer will be ap- outcomes will be presented at appropriate sym pointed to develop materials and support stakeholders. posia and conferences and published in appropri- The current inoculation method involves the introduc- ate newsletters (Barkly Beef, Weed All About it, tion of a formulated inoculum pellet into the stem of Barkly Land Care Association and Victoria River
677 XII International Symposium on Biological Control of Weeds
District Conservation Association newsletter, Net- Through the involvement of local stakeholders, it will work Notes) to ensure maximum possible sharing be easier to achieve research goals. Training workshops of information. and the production of kits will increase the capacity of 7. Extension of new knowledge from laboratory land managers to undertake Parkinsonia dieback trials. research. As new biocontrol isolates or inoculation This project will raise awareness of adoption of inte- techniques become available from the associated grated weed management practices. UQ projects, these will be communicated to the co- operator groups, and where possible made available for field testing. Significance of expected outcomes • A partnership between Government agencies, regional community leaders, indigenous ranger Identified collaborators groups and pastoralists will promote implementa- tion of VRD components of the Katherine Regional Strong support for this project has been demonstrated Weed Management Plan (M. Kassman, personal by existing collaborators and new potential collabora- communication, 2006). This ensures that all stake- tors. Victoria River District Conservation Association holders have a voice in the execution of strate- (VRDCA) and Roper River Landcare Group (RRLG) gic weed management, supporting the VRDCA are currently supporting the project with preliminary model of holistic management in the spheres of sites already set up. Members of the VRDCA and the production, community and conservation, and the RRLG are currently being trained in inoculation tech- Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan niques and plant vigour assessment. (Northern Territory) vision of fostering strong lo- The Weed Management Section of the Department cal contribution to natural resource management. of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts (NRE- • Participation in, and visual confirmation of, the ef- TA) will also support the project by providing techni- ficacy of sustained weed control programmes will cal advice and assistance to all stakeholders, attending provide an impetus for further long-term planning workshops and participating in setting up and monitor- and investment from stakeholders in the regions. ing trial sites. • This project directly contributes to the goal of sus- Aboriginal Ranger Groups (Muru-warinyi Ankkul tainable natural resources and community capac- Rangers) are keen to participate in the project to in- ity building by integrating planning, training and crease skills, build capacity among the groups and im- action. prove networks between stakeholders. The Department of Primary Industry, Fisheries and Mines (DPIFM) and the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Concluding comments Association (NTCA) also support this project as Par- kinsonia impacts on pastoral operations and the pasto- Experience from previously established pilot trials ral industry within the Northern Territory. Both support with the Barkly Landcare and Conservation Asso- research into effective biological control agents for use ciation (BCLA) and the Roper River Landcare Group as a tool. (RRLG) have indicated both a high level of willingness to engage in cooperative research and accelerated out- comes through the sharing of knowledge and experi- Justification ence held by such groups. This approach has proven to be an excellent way of guiding research to ensure Current research on Parkinsonia dieback being con- that outcomes are more appropriately aligned with the ducted by UQ has over the past 2 years attracted sig- needs of landholders and landscape managers. Adop- nificant attention among landscape managers from Par- tion of outcomes will be greater for cooperatively de- kinsonia-affected regions and researchers involved in veloped management strategies; furthermore, this ap- woody weed management. Through the involvement proach may ensure that localized environmental and of VRDCA, RRLCG, NRETA Weed Management operational conditions are considered. and Aboriginal ranger groups, UQ will deliver a proj- ect that achieves a strong community-based landcare movement through improving communication and col- Acknowledgements laboration between land managers across a range of tenures. This project involves local stakeholders, that The author acknowledges the support of the following is, Landcare groups, aboriginal rangers, NRETA weeds organisations: Muru-warinyi Ankkul Rangers – Central officers and UQ creating a cooperative collaborative Land Council, Tennant Creek, NT; Victoria River Dis- approach across regions and state boundaries. The trict Conservation Association, Katherine, NT; Austra- partnerships created will improve regional planning. lian Agricultural Company (AAC), Anthony Lagoon Parkinsonia biological control is still in development. Station, NT; Department of Natural Resources, Envi-
678 A cooperative research model – biological control of Parkinsonia aculeata ronment and the Arts, NT; Barkly Landcare and Con- Natural Resources, Mines and Energy, Brisbane, QLD, servation Association, NT; and Roper River Landcare Australia, pp. 2–10. Group, Katherine, NT. Diplock, N., Galea, V., van Klinken, R. and Wearing, A. (2006) A preliminary investigation of dieback on Parkin- sonia aculeata. In: Preston, C., Watts, J.H. and Crossman, References N.D. (eds) 15th Australian Weeds Conference Proceed- ings: Managing Weeds in a Changing Climate. Weed Deveze, M., March, N. and van Klinken, R. (2004) Parkinso- Management Society of SA Australia, pp. 585–587. nia – ecology and threat. National Case Studies Manual van Klinken, R.D. (2006) Parkinsonia biocontrol: What are Parkinsonia, Approaches to the Management of Parkin- we trying to achieve? Australian Journal of Entomology sonia (Parkinsonia aculeata) in Australia. Department of 45, 268–271.
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