Biological control of serrated tussock

Summary

A beef farmer in NSW and a sheep farmer in Tasmania have each experienced dieback of serrated tussock populations without herbicide application. A detailed host specificity trial using a pathogen identified from these infestations failed to have a significant impact on serrated tussock survival. A follow-up pot trial using leaf pieces from field collected infected plants did result in significant serrated tussock die-back. Identification of high populations of root feeding nematodes at the NSW site suggests a possible relationship between root damage and soil pathogen effects requiring further investigation as a potential biological control solution for serrated tussock.