fungus provides

 

1^st February 2010

Landholders with Parkinsonia will have the opportunity to take part in ground-breaking research towards increasing its dieback through biological control. Desert Channels Queensland (DCQ) is coordinating free workshops across the west of Queensland in April, funded by Meat & Livestock Australia.

Following on from successful trials carried out by the University of Queensland (UQ) and partners in Western Australia and the Northern Territory in 2009, a number of workshops will provide information on how landholders can participate in the latest research conducted by Dr Vic Galea and his team from UQ who have developed a biological control mechanism for Parkinsonia. The control is based on a naturally occurring dieback disease found in several locations across Northern Australia.

Ron Beezley, project coordinator from Desert Channels Queensland said “Landholders will be invited to undertake these trials using natural agents. Free training and a control kit will be provided to allow Landowners to set-up trials and evaluate the results on their own properties”.

Nathan March from Biosecurity Queensland will also provide information on Parkinsonia management and further research underway.

Parkinsonia Dieback is a phenomenon which has been observed in several Parkinsonia populations across northern Australia. Dr Vic Galea and his team have observed this disease kills both adult and juvenile Parkinsonia trees. 

“We have found that several naturally occurring fungi are involved in the dieback process, which can spread through soil from infected trees to others nearby. In some locations where dieback has a long history, the fungi have virtually eliminated this weed without affecting other native plant species” Dr Galea said.

Dr Galea and his team have applied their findings to utilise these fungi to create a form which can in be injected into adult Parkinsonia trees.

“Nearly 60 trial sites were established in WA and NT with various landholders. Early results from some of these sites in the NT indicated that tree death is possible within six months of injection” Dr Galea said.

The results gained from those landholders who participate in the trials will be used to investigate the effectiveness of these diseases causing fungi across different areas of Queensland. The outcomes of this and other research on Parkinsonia Dieback will form a key component of integrated management for Parkinsonia across Northern Australia.

Interested landholders can register for workshops by contacting Ron Beezley (DCQ) on (07) 4652 7827 or ron.beezley@dcq.org.au.

 

 

Media enquiries: Mark Kleinschmidt

Ph: (07) 4652 7818

Fax: (07) 4658 0122

Email: mark.kleinschmidt@dcq.org.au