Invasive grass identification and management Insert Presenter Name Insert Presentation Date Introduction This 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 Before we start – your issues 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 Best practice weed management - key steps 1. Define the problem 2. Determine objectives 3. Develop plan 4. Implement plan 5. Monitor, evaluate and revise plan Weed Management Principles • 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 Step 1. Define the Problem • 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). 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 ID and impacts – Cenchrus ciliaris 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 Declared Data from AVH Jan 2017 ID and impacts – Cenchrus ciliaris Adult: purple at base Seeds dispersed / detached seed Juvenile spike Flowering spike Mature seed spike ID and impacts – Cenchrus ciliaris ID – Buffel Grass look-a-likes Birdwood grass- Cenchrus setiger Data from AVH Jan 2017 ID – Buffel Grass look-a-likes Native Enneapogon species - Black-heads (left) Introduced Setaria verticillata – pigeon grass (right) ID – Buffel Grass look-a-likes Native Mitchell grass – Astrebla pectinata ID – Buffel Grass look-a-likes Introduced Cenchrus setaceus – Pennisetum or Fountain grass (left) Introduced Chloris gayana – Rhodes grass (right) ID and impacts – Cenchrus pennisetiformis 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 Declared Data from AVH Jan 2017 ID and impacts – Cenchrus longispinus and C. incertus Innocent weed • fast-growing annual grasses that produce spiny burrs • pest plant in pastures and irrigated crops Data from AVH Jan 2017 Declared ID and impacts - Cenchrus macrourus (Pennisetum macrourum) - African feathergrass Declared Data from AVH Jan 2017 ID and impacts – Cenchrus setaceus (Pennisetum setaceum) - Fountain grass Data from AVH Jan 2017 Declared ID and impacts – Cenchrus longisetus (Pennisetum villosum) - Feather-top grass Data from AVH Jan 2017 ID and impacts – Cortaderia species Pampas grasses • Large (gigantic) perennial tussock Data from AVH Jan 2017 Declared ID and impacts- Nassella leucotricha Texas needlegrass • Perennial tussock forming Native spear-grass seed Nassella leucotricha grass, up to 1m high • Found in: AMLR (Belair, Clarendon, Scott Creek, Mt Bold) SE (Penola) Data from AVH Jan 2017 Declared ID and impacts – Nassella neesiana Chilean needlegrass • Perennial tussock forming C3 grass, up to 1m high CNG ID Video Declared WoNS Data from AVH Jan 2017 Above: purple glumes 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 trichotoma Serrated tussock • Perennial, reproduces by seed • Will significantly reduce carrying capacity Left: tussock. Right: Old leaves with fawn coloured tips Data from AVH Jan 2017 Declared WoNS ID and impacts- Nassella trichotoma ID and impacts- Nassella hyalina Cane needlegrass • Perennial tussock forming grass Corona Data from AVH Jan 2017 Declared ID and impacts- Nassella seeds ID and impacts- Nassella seeds ID – Nassella look-a-likes Native 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 curvula African lovegrass • large perennial tussocks that grow to between 30 and 120 cm high Data from AVH Jan 2017 Declared ID – Eragrostis curvula look-a-likes Eragrostis trichophora Piptatherum miliaceum – Rice millet ID and impacts – Hyparrhenia hirta Coolatai grass • long lived summer active perennial tussock Data from AVH Jan 2017 ID and impacts – Jarava plumosa Plumerillo • long lived summer active perennial tussock • Only seen in AMLR in Adelaide Parklands & Waite Arboretum, Urrbrae, Adelaide. Declared ID and impacts – Andropogon gayanus 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… Declared WoNS ID and impacts – Andropogon gayanus ID and impacts – Melinis repens Red Natal Grass Data from AVH Jan 2017 (Step 1). Collect the plant • 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). Pressing a 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 Identification – Resources • 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 Step 2. Determine Objectives • Prevention • Eradication • Containment • Asset based protection • Feasibility and cost effectiveness of each goal based on circumstances • SMART Objectives Roadside Weed Control Step 3. Develop Plan • 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). Working with Others • Discuss options with NRM staff • Work with neighbours wherever possible • Landscape approach is much more effective • Are there regional programs? (Step 3). Legal considerations • 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). 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,