The impact of gorse thrips, ryegrass competition, and simulated grazing on gorse seedling performance in a controlled environment
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Published source details
Davies J.T., Ireson J.E. & Allen G.R. (2005) The impact of gorse thrips, ryegrass competition, and simulated grazing on gorse seedling performance in a controlled environment. Biological Control, 32, 280-286.
Published source details Davies J.T., Ireson J.E. & Allen G.R. (2005) The impact of gorse thrips, ryegrass competition, and simulated grazing on gorse seedling performance in a controlled environment. Biological Control, 32, 280-286.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Grow plants that compete with damaging weeds Action Link |
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Grow plants that compete with damaging weeds
A replicated, randomised, controlled trial in a greenhouse in Tasmania, Australia (Davies et al. 2005) found that ryegrass Lolium perenne competition reduced average shoot weight of invasive gorse Ulex europaeus by 96%. Ryegrass competition used together with a biological control agent (gorse thrips Sericothrips staphylinus) or with simulated grazing also increased gorse seedling mortality by 23 and 33% respectively, and by 93% when all three were combined. However, gorse seedling mortality was not affected by ryegrass, thrips or simulated grazing alone. Gorse seedlings were grown in boxes of six in a greenhouse at 20°C. Treatments were 1.5 g/m² ryegrass seeds, 10 thrips/plant and simulated grazing by cutting with scissors to 3 cm height, plus all possible combinations of these three. Each treatment was replicated five times. Seedling mortality and shoot weight after 123 days were recorded.
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