Pastures and rangelands

Puccinellia

Series: Agnote DPI-288 Edition: Third edition Last updated: 07 Apr 2004

Puccinella
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NOTE: The information in this Agnote must be read in conjunction with Introduction to selecting and using pastures in NSW, which covers information on areas of adaptation, sources of variability, species mixtures, and important issues related to animal health and the conservation of native vegetation.

Pasture type and use	Temperate perennial grass with growth in autumn, winter and spring; dormant in summer. Useful species in saline and waterlogged soils.
Area of adaptation	All tablelands and slopes areas of NSW, Riverina, Central West Plains and irrigated areas.
Min. average annual rainfall	400 mm (southern NSW) to 500 mm (northern NSW).
Advantages	Tolerates saline soils better than tall wheatgrass. Useful species to establish on badly scalded saline land, where ECe > 20 dS/m.
Disadvantages	Early growth is slow. Low-producing species. Sensitive to heavy grazing. Less vigorous than tall wheatgrass.
Soil requirements	Will grow well in very saline and waterlogged soils.
Varieties	Menemen
Sowing rate � in mixtures	Normally sown in mixtures at a rate of 1�3 kg/ha.
Sowing time	Dryland: Autumn Irrigated: Late winter to early spring.
Companion species	Sow generally in mixtures with tall wheatgrass and Palestine strawberry clover, except in very saline soils where it is best sown as a single species.
Inoculation	N/A
Major nutrient deficiencies	Superphosphate (or equivalent) at sowing is beneficial. Responsive to nitrogen once established.
Main insect pests	No significant problems.
Main diseases	No significant problems.
Management	Do not apply heavy grazing pressure, particularly when young. It is sensitive to set stocking. Grazing in the establishment year is not recommended. It is very slow to establish, particularly in tableland environments.
Livestock disorders of particular note	No problems reported.
Further information	Saltland pastures in Australia � A practical guide, EG Barrett-Lennard & CV Malcolm, WA Department of Agriculture, 1995.

Acknowledgments

Advice on livestock health disorders was provided by Dr Chris Bourke, Principal Research Scientist, NSW Agriculture, Orange. His contribution is gratefully acknowledged.

Photo: Warren McDonald, Former Technical Specialist (Pastures), NSW Agriculture, Tamworth