Studies of competition between Nassella trichotoma (Nees) Hack. ex Arechav. (serrated tussock) and native pastures. 1. Adult plants

Abstract

Nassella trichotoma (serrated tussock) is a hardy perennial grass weed that rapidly invades disturbed areas. Pasture competition is an important component of an integrated weed-management system for native pastures. This paper reports on a field experiment to ascertain the level of competition from native grasses for adult N. trichotoma plants. Native grasses prevented N. trichotoma plants from increasing in biomass and basal area when rotationally grazed or when grazing was removed and fertiliser was withheld. Smaller N. trichotoma plants (<500 mm2) were more likely to vary in size with very little change in larger plants. Flupropanate efficiently killed all N. trichotoma plants but caused considerable damage to perennial native species, resulting in an uncompetitive pasture dominated by broadleaf weeds.