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 Panic grass (Megathyrsus maximus). Panic grass (Megathyrsus maximus) is a warm season (C4), perennial grass which is widely used in South America, Japan, India, and sub-tropical Queensland and more recently in the northern agricultural region of Western Australia. It is a productive forage grass for pasture, green-forage, hay and silage. The panic grasses are shade tolerant and often found around tree lines in their native environment (tropical and sub-tropical Africa) where the soil fertility is higher. Panic grass is a tufted, highly palatable leafy bunch grass, occasionally with short rhizomes, with foliage to 1.5m (short-medium types), but the Guinea grasses can reach up to 3-4m (Cook et al. 2005). They are moderately drought tolerant (varies with genotype) and can respond rapidly to rainfall. Most genotypes are intolerant of waterlogging or flooding.

Number of Pages

14

Keywords

weed risk, assessment, biosecurity, Western Australia, Panic grass, green panic, Guinea grass, Megathyrsus maximus

Disciplines

Biosecurity | Weed Science

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