All in Threats and Pests

Modelling Microbial Utilisation of Macrophyte Organic Matter Inputs to Rivers under Different Flow Conditions

superuser — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 02:54:43 +0000

This thesis by Patricia Bowen, University of Canberra investigates the timing and composition of organic matter (OM) inputs to rivers. These are important as carbon plays a major role in river functioning.

IDs and People

Program:

River Landscapes

Program Theme:

National River Contaminants

Research Type:

Research Project

LWA Project Code:

UOC19

Researchers:

Patricia Bowen

Subjects

Subjects:

Threats and Pests

Contaminants

Rivers and Wetlands

Current Activities

Status:

Complete

Enhancing Noogoora Burr biocontrol in northern Australia

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 01:39:37 +0000

IDs and People

Program:

Defeating the Weed Menace R&D Program

Program Theme:

Identifying biocontrol agents for priority weed species

Research Type:

Research Project

Legacy (KMS) Project ID:

CEN7

Host Organisation:

CSIRO Entomology

Researchers:

Dr Louise Morin

Subjects

Subjects:

Data and Information

Threats and Pests

Weeds

Keywords:

Weeds

weed

Noogoora burr

biocontrol

Project Information

Summary:

This project investigated ways to improve the biollgical control of the highly invasive weed Noogoora Burr (Xanthium occidentale). The project was designed to assemble the necessary information to support an application to release additional strains of the Noogoora Burr rust fungus to enhance the impact of biological control in northern Australia. The introduction of additional exotic rust strains better adapted to tropical conditions is being investigated as a means of controlling Noogoora Burr in tropical areas.

Outcomes:

Following field surveys carried out in tropical America, rust-infected material from 12 sites in Dominican Republic and Mexico was imported into the containment facility. No infection of Australian Noogoora burr accessions was obtained with the imported rust material. In contrast, plants inoculated with two Australian rust strains developed severe symptoms; confirming that experimental conditions were suitable for infection. As a result, it was not possible to establish cultures of exotic strains and perform host-specificity tests.

Microscopic examination of leaves inoculated with exotic rust-infected material revealed typical plant resistance responses. Xanthium specimens collected in Dominican Republic and Mexico were found to be morphologically and genetically different to Australian Noogoora burr accessions and other Xanthium spp. These genetic differences may explain why no infection occurred on Australian Noogoora burr inoculated with rust-infected material from tropical America.

A diagnostic microsatellite marker to differentiate between exotic and Australian rust strains was successfully developed to provide a tool for monitoring strain establishment after release. Baseline data on Noogoora burr populations and prevalence of biocontrol agents were collected at sites on three river systems in the Northern Territory and northern Western Australia. This data will be essential to assess the impact of additional strains of P. xanthii, should any be released in the future in Australia.

Current Activities

Status:

Complete

Background

Project Background:

Noogoora burr (Xanthium occidentale; ranked 28th during the WoNS process and an approved target for biocontrol) forms monocultures across the northern regions of Australia. The exotic rust fungus, Puccinia xanthii, illegally or accidentally introduced in the mid-1970s to Australia, has been highly effective in controlling Noogoora Burr in south-eastern Queensland, but has failed to have a major impact in tropical northern Australia (Morin et al., 1996).

Aims:

The project objectives were:

collect, characterise and test host-specificity of exotic strains of Puccinia xanthii that are better adapted to the tropical climate, and
gather baseline data of Noogoora burr populations in northern Australia.

Location

State & NRM Region:

Western Australia

Northern Territory

Importation and release of a new biological control agent for Scotch Broom

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 01:20:11 +0000

IDs and People

Program:

Defeating the Weed Menace R&D Program

Program Theme:

Identifying biocontrol agents for priority weed species

Research Type:

Research Project

Legacy (KMS) Project ID:

VPI10

Host Organisation:

Victorian DPI

Researchers:

Mr Jean-Louis Sagliocco

Subjects

Subjects:

Threats and Pests

Keywords:

Identifying biocontrol agents for priority weed species

Project Information

Summary:

This project introduced and tested a new biocontrol agent, currently available in New Zealand, to better control the invasive Weed of National Significance, Scotch Broom/

Outcomes:

The project team has developed improved methods for importation and rearing of the gall mite using gall meristems, gained approval for mass rearing and release, and documented the preferred characteristics of release sites, and established a national database to document releases and infestations. Technical advice on dispersal techniques has also been developed and is available to relevant land managers.

Current Activities

Status:

Complete

Background

Project Background:

The broom mite Aceria genistae , a gall specialist of Scotch broom, Cytisus scoparius, approved for release in Australia but never released, was imported by DPI Victoria in 2006. After several generations under quarantine conditions, the mite was approved for release by quarantine authorities. Mass-rearing was initiated and colonies were provided to Tasmania and South Australia. Multiple releases are occurring in three states in spring 2008, with establishment and dispersal to be monitored by DPI.

Aims:

The purpose of the project was to introduce a new biological control agent for the suppression of Scotch broom in Australia through the importation of healthy starter colonies of the specialist galling mite, Aceria genistae, and its release into southern Australia.

To achieve the objectives of this project, DPI Victoria established partnerships with a number of agencies including CSIRO (Montpellier France), Parks Victoria, the Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research (TIAR) and Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resource Management Board, South Australia. The project objectives were:

To import A. genistae from New Zealand and/or France into DPI quarantine at Frankston and reared for one generation.
To ensure that the A. genistae colony is free from parasites and bacterial pathogens enabling its approval for release from quarantine by AQIS.
To develop effective rearing and release techniques and to provide starter colonies to collaborating agencies in Tasmania (TIAR) and South Australia (Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges NRMB). At this point, TIAR and Mt Lofty NRMB will be responsible for the release of the mite in their respective states.
For DPI-Frankston to manage the rearing and release of mites within Victoria in collaboration with Parks Victoria and Goulburn Murray Water.

Location

State & NRM Region:

National

Profitable, biodiverse wool production systems for the Northern Tablelands (NSW)

Mon, 08 Oct 2007 05:22:46 +0000

IDs and People

Program:

Land, Water and Wool

Program Theme:

Native Vegetation and Biodiversity

Research Type:

Research Project

Research Scale:

Region

Subjects

Subjects:

Rivers and Wetlands

Threats and Pests

Landscape Management

Weeds

Conservation

Keywords:

Woolgrowers

Land Management

Riparian

Native Vegetation

Biodiversity

Natural Resource Management

Project Information

Summary:

A significant number of the world’s premium fine woolgrowers operate on New South Wales’ Northern Tablelands, which covers 2.5 million hectares and carries four million sheep. Over 1000 woolgrowers operate in the region, with granite, trap and basalt soil types and predominantly summer rainfall.

Current Activities

Status:

Pending

Background

Aims:

Profitable, biodiverse wool productions systems focused on productive management of native vegetation - an increasing priority for the region’s woolgrowers. The project aimed to develop solutions to natural resource management issues such as native tree dieback, unpalatable invasive weeds, gully erosion, compromised riparian vegetation and water quality, vertebrate pests and a decline in biodiversity, all of which have the potential to impact on farm productivity and profitability.

Case Studies

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Northern Tablelands Factsheets

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Location

State & NRM Region:

New South Wales

Locations:

Northern Tablelands