Competition among three agronomic types of the Eragrostis curvula (Schrad.) Nees complex and three temperate pasture grasses on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales

Abstract

Three agronomic types of the African lovegrass (Eragrostis cuwula (Schrad.) Nees) complex were established in a replacement series with three temperate pasture grasses to determine their relative competitiveness over three years in the field on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales. The curvula agronomic type was more competitive than Consol or the chloromelas type which were similar in competitive ability. Festuca arundinacea Schreb., Dactylis glomerata L. and Pharlaris aquatica L. were each able to reduce the forage production of the curvula type in spring, but were in turn subject to suppression during summer and autumn. The relationships among Consol, the chloromelas type and the temperate grasses followed a similar pattern, but differences in their relative competitiveness were smaller. F. arundinacea was the most competitive of the temperate grasses, but this ability declined over time; D. glomerata was equally competitive during early assessments, but its ability declined more rapidly, while P. aquatica was the least successful competitor with any of the E. cuwula types. Differences in competitiveness among species over time (particularly the decline in competitiveness of the temperate species) suggest that management practices aimed at minimizing the impact of invasions by the E. cuwula complex should be investigated.