Effects of bracken (Pteridium esculentum (forst. f.) cockayne) on eucalypt regeneration in west-central Victoria

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Abstract

An experiment was conducted in mixed species eucalypt forest in west-central Victoria to quantify the effects of shading and burning on the competitiveness of bracken with eucalypt seedlings for light and soil moisture. The effect of bracken competition on the species composition of eucalypt seedling regeneration was also studied. The influence of leachate from bracken founds on germination of eucalypt seedlings was examined in vitro.

Bracken competition reduced the number of seedlings surviving at age 10 months by 50%. Bracken competition was predominantly for light which reduced seedling vigour making them more susceptible to drought, frost, insects and fungi. The number of seedlings which established was inversely related to bracken leaf area index. Bracken competition did not differentially affect Eucalyptus obliqua or Eucalyptus radiata. Allelopathy from leachate collected from bracken fronds did not affect germination of seeds. Soil moisture was not a significant factor in the competition, but summer rainfall was exceptionally high during this study.

Burning and absence of shading stimulated the production of bracken fronds and these conditions are likely to extend the area of bracken competition.

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