Community Structure of Serrated Tussock (\u3ci\u3eNassella trichotoma\u3c/i\u3e) Infested Grasslands

Serrated tussock (Nassella trichotoma) is the most serious perennial grass weed in southeastern Australia, extending over more than a million hectares. Previous control techniques using herbicides and oversowing with competitive pastures are no longer feasible in many of the lower fertility, infested areas. New management solutions need to be found, based upon a better understanding of the ecology of this species. A survey was done to determine the community structure of serrated tussock infested grasslands. Winter growing C3 grasses were closely associated with serrated tussock, while C4 perennial grasses appeared not to be. It is not known if this was due to C4 grasses resisting invasion from, or if they were poor competitors with, serrated tussock. Further research is needed to determine if judicious management of C4 species can effectively control invasion by this devastating weed