Publication Date
1993
Description
mi-arid climatic conditions affect large areas of New Zealand's South Island east coast and inland basins. A significant area - some 6 million ha - is affected by, or is at risk from, invasion by hawkweeds, mainly Hieracium pilose/la. This plant, along with rabbits, is severely affecting the viability of extensive pastoral grassland farming in New Zealand. Soil erosion, in particular associated with frost heave and wind, is notable in areas associated with both a semi-arid climate and high densities of hawkweeds. The use of dryland pasture plants selected for drought tolerance, frost tolerance and ability to grow under low fertility conditions and in hawkweed colonies is discussed in this paper. These include Arrlienatherum elatius, Dorycnium hirsutum, Festuca ovina, Latus corniculatus, Melilotus officinalis, Sanguisorba minor, Thinopyrum (Agropyron) trichophorum and Trifolium ambiguum. The establishment, management and sustainability of these plants is considered in relation to expectations for future productive use of New Zealand's dryland and/or hawkweedaffected grasslands. The interaction of these plants with shrubby forage species such as Atriplex halimus in "shrub forage banks" is' also discussed. Purther, establishment of drought-tolerant pasture forbs in conjunction with shrubs is recommended to increase productivity and diversity of forage.
Citation
Wills, B J.; Sheppard, J S.; and Begg, J.S C., "Use of Dryland Forage Plants for Improving Semi-Arid and Hawkweed-affected land in New Zealand" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 11.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1993/session46/11
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Use of Dryland Forage Plants for Improving Semi-Arid and Hawkweed-affected land in New Zealand
mi-arid climatic conditions affect large areas of New Zealand's South Island east coast and inland basins. A significant area - some 6 million ha - is affected by, or is at risk from, invasion by hawkweeds, mainly Hieracium pilose/la. This plant, along with rabbits, is severely affecting the viability of extensive pastoral grassland farming in New Zealand. Soil erosion, in particular associated with frost heave and wind, is notable in areas associated with both a semi-arid climate and high densities of hawkweeds. The use of dryland pasture plants selected for drought tolerance, frost tolerance and ability to grow under low fertility conditions and in hawkweed colonies is discussed in this paper. These include Arrlienatherum elatius, Dorycnium hirsutum, Festuca ovina, Latus corniculatus, Melilotus officinalis, Sanguisorba minor, Thinopyrum (Agropyron) trichophorum and Trifolium ambiguum. The establishment, management and sustainability of these plants is considered in relation to expectations for future productive use of New Zealand's dryland and/or hawkweedaffected grasslands. The interaction of these plants with shrubby forage species such as Atriplex halimus in "shrub forage banks" is' also discussed. Purther, establishment of drought-tolerant pasture forbs in conjunction with shrubs is recommended to increase productivity and diversity of forage.
