LIGULE*: An evaluation of indigenous perennial grasses for dryland salinity management in south-eastern Australia - 2. Field performance and the selection of promising ecotypes

This paper reports the results of an initial evaluation of a large collecti on of Australian perennial native grasses. The overall aim of the research was to identify accessions that may be useful for pastoral purposes and for controlling land degradation on hill-lands in the high (>500 mm) rainfall zone of south-eastern Australia. Accessions (807) representing 37 target sp ecies were established in spaced plant nurseries at Rutherglen and Wagga Wa gga. Dactylis glomerata L. cv. Porto and Eragrostis curvula (Schrad) Nees. Complex cv. Consol were established as comparator (control) species. A range of attributes was observed over a 2-year period (1990-1992), includ ing persistence, vigour, productivity, palatability, morphology, and charac teristics related to seed production. Accessions were initially culled on t he basis of their persistence. Data for a range of attributes were separate ly analysed using pattern analysis to provide a broad overview of the perfo rmance and characteristics of the remaining accessions. A number of selecti on criteria were applied which resulted in selection of a promising group o f 20 accessions (12 species from 8 genera). The promising group of accessio ns will be evaluated further at field sites typical of hilly landscapes in the 500-600 mm rainfall zone of south-eastern Australia.