Field evaluation of seven grasses for use in the revegetation of lands disturbed by coal mining in Central Queensland

Pasture-based systems, dominated by the tussock forming Cenchrus ciliaris c v. Biloela (buffel grass) and the stoloniferous Chloris gayana cv. Pioneer (rhodes grass), are commonly used in the revegetation of lands disturbed by coal mining in the Bowen Basin of Central Queensland. Although able to est ablish quickly under favourable conditions, neither species has proven enti rely suitable for use in this situation, particularly in providing effectiv e ground cover for erosion control on the re-contoured post-mining landscap e. The aim of this study was to evaluate a range of new pasture grasses, wi th the objective of identifying accessions better adapted to the edaphic an d climatic conditions of the areas requiring revegetation. Seven grasses were evaluated, on both bare spoil and replaced topsoil, at t he Saraji mine, about 25 km north of Dysart. Differences in establishment b etween grasses were limited, although establishment was up to 5 times great er in the replaced topsoil plots. Urochloa mosambicensis CPI 60128 exhibite d better seedling survival (up to 8 times greater) and produced a more exte nsive ground cover (up to 3 times greater) than the stoloniferous control C hloris gayana cv. Pioneer under conditions of below average rainfall (rainf all was below average in 70% of the months). This work resulted in the comm ercial release of U. mosambicensis CPI 60128 as cv. Saraji.