T.J. HALL

Queensland Department of Primary Industries, P.O. Box 1054, Mareeba, Qld 4880.

Abstract

Twelve pasture species were evaluated for their ability to regenerate eroded shallow granitic soil supporting a Eucalyptus woodland in the Hervey Range military training area, with grazing excluded. Bothriochloa insculpta (Hatch creeping bluegrass) and Melinis minutiflora (molasses grass) were the most successful colonising grasses; they maintained a dense sward for 3 seasons following rough cultivation and fertilisation. Bothriochloa pertusa (Indian bluegrass) showed potential to give a low ground cover for camp sites. The legumes, Stylosanthes hamata (Verano) and Macroptilium atropurpureum (Siratro), persisted but their foliage covers were too low to control erosion. Hatch creeping bluegrass was the most promising grass for erosion control.