Grass roots-native perennial grasses for sustainable pasture systems

University of Western Australia

  • Project code: PRJ-000452

  • Project stage: Closed

  • Project start date: Tuesday, May 31, 2005

  • Project completion date: Friday, May 29, 2009

  • National Priority: NEPI-RD&E to generate benefit across several plant industries

Summary

To develop a national program to deliver seed-based solutions to overcome seed germination and establishment barriers for a profitable and productive broad-acre native perennial grass pasture and restoration industry. This aim will be met via the following objectives being addressed for fourteen promising species currently in limited commercial production and will be completed in collaboration with the DPI&F (QLD) (RIRDC project DAQ-332A). 1. Refine new advances in seed production technology to increase commercial availability of native perennial grass species (including the use of the discovery by the applicant of one chemical in smoke that stimulates the germination of native species) for pasture systems and rehabilitation sites. 2. Define and prioritise the information and implement technology required to overcome barriers to commercial production focussing on improving seed germination seedling vigour and seedling stress tolerance. 3. Increase the efficiency of the seed-to-site establishmentby targeting a series of high potential native pasture species and recent innovations in seed technologies including polymer-based seed coatings for efficient delivery of germination enhancement and growth promoters to seed.

Program

New and Emerging Plant Industries

Research Organisation

University of Western Australia

Objective Summary

To develop a national program to deliver seed-based solutions to overcome seed germination and establishment barriers for a profitable and productive broad-acre native perennial grass pasture and restoration industry. This aim will be met via the following objectives being addressed for fourteen promising species currently in limited commercial production and will be completed in collaboration with the DPI&F (QLD) (RIRDC project DAQ-332A). 1. Refine new advances in seed production technology to increase commercial availability of native perennial grass species (including the use of the discovery by the applicant of one chemical in smoke that stimulates the germination of native species) for pasture systems and rehabilitation sites. 2. Define and prioritise the information and implement technology required to overcome barriers to commercial production focussing on improving seed germination seedling vigour and seedling stress tolerance. 3. Increase the efficiency of the seed-to-site establishmentby targeting a series of high potential native pasture species and recent innovations in seed technologies including polymer-based seed coatings for efficient delivery of germination enhancement and growth promoters to seed.