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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 27(1)

Evaluation of native and introduced grasses for low-input pastures in temperate Australia: rationale and scope

R. D. B. Whalley A E , D. A. Friend B , P. Sanford C and M. L. Mitchell D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Systematics, Botany, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia.

B Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research, PO Box 46, Kings Meadows, Tas. 7249, Australia.

C Department of Agriculture Western Australia, Albany Highway, Albany, WA 6330, Australia.

D Department of Primary Industries, Research and Development Division – Rutherglen, RMB 1145 Rutherglen, Vic. 3685, Australia.

E Corresponding author. Email: rwhalley@une.edu.au

The Rangeland Journal 27(1) 1-9 https://doi.org/10.1071/RJ05004
Submitted: 1 January 2005  Accepted: 23 March 2005   Published: 14 June 2005

Abstract

The historical approach to pasture improvement in the high rainfall zone of temperate Australia has been to add introduced herbaceous legumes and to replace perennial native grasses with introduced species requiring high inputs of fertiliser for maintenance. The application of this high-input approach on land with low capability has lead to the loss of perennial grasses, erosion, soil acidification and increasing salinity on the lower slopes. This model of pasture improvement has not been successful on the margins of the wheat belt and in semi-arid regions. The Native and Low-input Grasses Network (NLIGN) was established in 1996 to coordinate research on grasses suitable for land with low capability and for semi-arid regions. The NLIGN multi-site evaluation project was initiated to test promising lines (accessions) of native and introduced grasses for low-input pastures at eight sites across southern Australia.

The broad objective of the project was to identify native and/or introduced perennial grass lines that had possible commercial potential for low-input pastures. This objective was achieved in an initial 3-year evaluation phase, which began in 1998 and tested lines for persistence, production and palatability.

Additional keyword: perennial.


Acknowledgments

We thank the University of New England, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Department of Primary Industries, Victoria, Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research, South Australian Research and Development Institute, Department of Agriculture, WA and Meat and Livestock Australia for funding the project. Special thanks to Bev Orchard for her biometrical assistance throughout the project.


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1 Botanical nomenclature used in this paper follows Wheeler et al. (2002) for grasses and Harden (1990–1993) for other species.