Managing Old (discontinued) Plant Evaluation Sites (MOPES)

Summary

Over one hundred discontinued plant evaluation sites throughout Queensland were thoroughly monitored with the information converted to database. Four priority legume target plants (Acacia angustissima/boliviana, Indigofera schimperi, Aeschynomene paniculate, Aeschynomene brasiliana) were nominated after consultation with many stakeholders. These target plants are being contained and eradicated using one, several or all of the following strategies; fencing, grazing management, fire, over-sowing a competitive grass, nitrogen fertiliser application, herbicide application and hand chipping. Although good success has been achieved over the three years, total eradication of legume target plants has not yet been achieved where soil seed reserves have accumulated due to past seeding events. Twenty sites remain as priority for treatment and on-going monitoring while forty five sites are listed as currently clean. However some of these forty five, plus the remaining sites, require periodic to annual monitoring for seedlings. It is recommended that monitoring and control of target plants be continued for a further three or more years to complete the task started by the Managing Old (discontinued) Plant Evaluation Sites project.