Weed and Genetic Risk (FP26)

The Weed and Genetic project is developing tools for researchers to ensure species and systems developed by the CRC have a minimal impact on the environment and build upon the Environmental Weed Risk Protocol developed by the former CRC Salinity.

The risk of test species persistence and naturalisation from experimental sites, incorporation of genetic risk guidelines, and support and training of researchers in using environmental risk decision tools will be specifically addressed by this project. Weed risk management guides for land-managers, for all species promoted by the CRC will also be a priority for this project.

Objectives:

• Ensure species and systems developed by the CRC have minimal negative impacts on natural ecosystems by providing tools for researchers to assess and manage weed and genetic risk in research trials, and producing management guides for land-managers
• Implement across the CRC, a fully-operational environmental risk management strategy in the form of protocols and guidelines that apply to germplasm collection, evaluation, selection and promotion
• Continue involvement in, and provide leadership for, the development and acceptance of national guidelines on conducting field trials in a risk management framework
• Promote responsible adoption of new technologies through the development of environmental risk management guides for all species promoted by the CRC, targeted at land-managers.

Activities

The CRC’s Environmental Risk Management Policy was revised to include genetic risk. A draft genetic risk assessment and a new format for species management guides have been developed for land holders, using Kikuyu grass as a sample guide.

The project has been involved in national discussions on improvements to border and post-border weed risk assessment. A national weed risk management forum was established with the construction of on-line weed database that features the available national weed risk assessments is now underway.

Research results have determined the genetic structure in Atriplex nummularia and the genetic differentiation between. The genetic identity of weedy populations of Acacia saligna has also been identified using genetic markers. All populations evaluated were the subspecies saligna, which spread by seed rather than suckering.

For more information visit the CRC’s Weed Risk page or email, project leader, Margaret Byrne.