Section 5 Case studies - Weeds Australia

Results of careful glyphosate
spot spraying of serrated
tussock.
Native Tall
Speargrass
Dead Serrated Tussock
Native Tall
Speargrass
Steve Taylor
ACT Parks staff do not recommend widespread
use of flupropanate in conservation grasslands.
Flupropanate can cause damage to beneficial
grass species such as wallaby grass
(Austrodanthonia) and Microlaena. The exception
is in areas where the main native grass is Red-leg
Grass, which is tolerant to low rates (1.5 L/ha)
rates of flupropanate.
The result
ACT staff have succeeded in limiting the spread
of existing serrated tussock infestations at
Gungahlin and Jerrabomberra districts in the
ACT. They have also managed to reduce the size
of the main infestations while increasing the
dominance of native grasses, for example Redleg
Grass, Hairy Panic and Tall Speargrass.
The future
The interaction of more frequent drought
with overgrazing has increased the number of
areas around the ACT that have sparse ground
cover—prime territory for the invasion of
serrated tussock. To ensure that serrated tussock
infestations do not become even more critical,
ACT Parks believes it is imperative that all new
infestations, whether on public or private land,
are quickly and continuously suppressed. ACT
Parks, therefore, accepts that part of its role is
to educate the wider community about serrated
tussock and its control. Serrated tussock control
requires the long-term financial commitment of
the ACT government and the development of
initiatives that may even include kangaroo culling
to reduce grazing pressure on native pastures.
Before (2005) (left) and after (2007) (right) photos of spot spraying serrated tussock with Round-up Biactive at
Jerrabomberra Grasslands Nature Reserve, ACT. The weed management here has shifted the area from serrated tussock
dominant to tall speargrass dominant - so quite a success. Rigorous follow-up is the key to success.
Steve Taylor
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