5 December 2018

Improving gamba grass control

Despite its listing as a Weed of National Significance and a key threatening process under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, gamba grass continues to spread across the north, increasing fire risks and significantly disrupting biodiversity and ecosystem services. A lack of registered herbicides to control gamba grass infestations in natural areas currently limits effective management. Hub researchers recently met with staff from Biosecurity Qld to kick off a new Hub project investigating management options for gamba grass in natural areas. The project team will work to trial a range of herbicides and application methods, combined with other management approaches such as biomass reduction, to identify the most effective control methods. They’ll also work with a range of stakeholders, including rangers and local government, to develop best practice guidelines for gamba grass control in natural areas, including parks and reserves. This project complements a project in the NT looking at gamba grass and fire. For more information please contact project leader, CSIRO’s Dr Helen Murphy or see the start-up factsheet.

This project is investigating the best methods to control gamba grass in natural areas like parks and reserves, photo NERP Northern Hub.