Assessment of new biocontrol agents of Parkinsonia

Parkinsonia is classified as a “Weed of National Significance” due to its invasiveness, potential for spread, and its economic and environmental impacts. It has invaded over 800,000 hectares of rangelands and wetlands across Australia, causing significant economic, production, and sustainability challenges, especially in northern pastoral systems. If left uncontrolled, Parkinsonia displaces native vegetation and limits access to land and waterways. Current control efforts rely on integrated approaches, combining mechanical and chemical methods with the use of fire. However, cost-effectiveness and resource constraints remain persistent issues.

Previous research funded by Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) identified potential biocontrol agents from Parkinsonia’s native range in southern and central America. A shortlist of top candidates was developed after conducting open field tests in Ebano, Mexico, and host specificity tests at the USDA lab in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The “Assessment of New Biocontrol Agents for Parkinsonia” project extended this research by conducting a detailed assessment of the most promising candidates in Australian quarantine facilities, focusing on their host specificity. This project was a crucial prerequisite for testing potential biocontrol agents before their importation into Australia. The majority of host specificity research took place in Australia to access local plant species of interest to Commonwealth departments regulating the release of biocontrol agents.

For more details, please read the project summary and download a copy of the final report (B.NBP.0620) (PDF, 4.4 MB) from the Meat & Livestock Australia website.

When: 5 April 2010 to 31 July 2013

Contact: Dr Tim Heard

Collaborator: CSIRO