Publication Date
2022
Publisher
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western Australia
City
Perth
Abstract
Introducing new plants to an area may have both positive and negative effects on the environment, economy and community. To minimise the negative environmental impact of introducing new agricultural species, DPIRD conducts a risk assessment procedure based on widely accepted scientific standards. This report assesses Elephant grass (Cenchrus purpureus). Elephant grass (syn. Pennisetum purpureum) is a very tall growing warm season (C4) that is native to Zimbabwe but has now been introduced into most sub-tropical and tropical countries. In Queensland, elephant grass is a highly productive pasture in the humid tropics (850-2,500mm). Elephant grass is planted vegetatively as cuttings because the seed quality is poor. In Western Australia (WA) elephant grass is used as a windbreak for market gardens on the Swan coastal plain, with very limited plantings as forage on farms. The potential of elephant grass as a forage in southern WA (non-irrigated) or under irrigation in northern WA is limited by the requirement for vegetative propagation (Moore et al. 2006). It has naturalised along creeklines in the Darling Scarp near Perth and should not be sown near waterways (Hussey et al. 2007).
Number of Pages
3
Keywords
Elephant grass, Cenchrus purpureus, weed risk, assessment, biosecurity, Western Australia
Disciplines
Biosecurity | Weed Science
Recommended Citation
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western Australia.
(2022), Cenchrus purpureus - environmental weed risk assessment 2022. Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western Australia, Perth. Report.
https://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/bs_wra/12
