CONTENTS
RESEARCH AND FOREST HEALTH
Forest research provides ForestrySA with
an opportunity to develop improved forest management practices,
either on its own or jointly with industry. ForestrySA is
actively involved in a range of research programs including
weed management, environment protection, wood quality, growth
and nutrition.
Current research is focussing on reducing
herbicide use in the second year after establishment, while
maintaining tree growth. Benefits will include reduced
herbicide costs of up to 25% and reduced environmental impacts.
Collaboration with other organisations on
research include trees and water use, nutrition, herbicides and
insect pests. Weed management also continues to be a high
priority. Weeds are a significant risk to plantations in terms
of cost of control, use of herbicides and secondary impacts
such as fire, providing a haven for pests and physical access.
Where possible, ForestrySA has shared knowledge and supported
co-operative approaches in weed control including biological
control programs for bridal creeper and blackberry.
ForestrySA developed a comprehensive Soils
Manual for the Green Triangle Region. This Manual has been
distributed to forestry organisations within the Green Triangle
Region as part of ForestrySA’s Industry Support and
Forestry Development programs.
In September 2003 ForestrySA hosted a
meeting of Research Working Group 5 – Plantation
Management in Mount Gambier with plantation wood quality as the
theme. Following this, ForestrySA has been collaborating with
local forest growers in investigating wood density in standing
trees and in updating knowledge of the impacts of forest
management practices on wood quality, in particular fertiliser
application and tree spacing.
ForestrySA has been instrumental in
forming a Regional Forest Health Group in the Green Triangle
Region. This group is a forum for the major softwood growers in
the Region to discuss forest health issues including insects,
diseases, weeds and nutrition. The group coordinates forest
health activities such as the monitoring of the insect pest
Sirex wood wasp (Sirex noctilio) and the release of biological control agents.
Results of surveillance and monitoring
with the Sirex biological control program indicated that the
pest has remained at a low level in both the Green Triangle and
Ranges Regions over the past year. The wasp parasitoid Schlettererius cintipes that was released after the Sirex outbreak in
the late 1980’s and rarely seen since, has been found
this year in both Regions. Ongoing monitoring and surveillance
are essential, as an outbreak of Sirex could cause serious loss
to the industry.
In the Green Triangle Region, plantations
severely damaged by a wind event and a hailstorm in November
2003 were monitored for insect attack and diseases. Monitoring
of these areas will continue for several years.
ForestrySA has continued to provide advice
and assistance to other plantation owners, both pine and eucalypt,
on matters of forest health. Field days were held on Kangaroo
Island to assist growers there to identify insect pests and
diseases, potential problems and control options. This advice
and assistance is essential in maintaining a high standard of
forest health and consequently improved industry productivity
and profitability.
ForestrySA has also continued to be
involved with a number of interagency programs to minimise the
adverse affects of various forest pests. ForestrySA is
collaborating with the CSIRO on research into the impact of the
Monterey Pine Aphid, Essigella
californica, on the defoliation of
pine plantations within the Green Triangle Region and on the
economic impact on wood production nationally.
ForestrySA is represented on several
national and State committees on forest health. These include,
at a national level, the Research Priorities Coordination
Committee, the National Sirex Coordination Committee, the Forest
Health Committee, Research Working Group 7 (Forest Health) and
the Forest Health Consultative Committee on the European House
Borer. At the State level representation includes the South
Australian Forest Health Advisory Committee and the
Phytophthora Technical Group.
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