❓ A parliamentary question regarding the Department of Agriculture's awareness and trials of vetiver grass for salinity mitigation in Western Australia. The Minister acknowledges awareness and past trials, but states the department will not instigate further trials due to limitations of vetiver grass compared to other species.
AnsweredQoN 1011Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Research has established the ability of vetiver grass to withstand highly adverse climatic and soil conditions such as elevated salt, acidity, alkalinity and sodicity, in addition to a range of heavy metals. Its unique morphological, physiological and ecological characteristics - Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich: Did you write that question, Frank? Hon FRANK HOUGH: I am going well, thanks, if the minister does not mind - The PRESIDENT: Order, members! If the member does not get to the question, we will move on to another one. Hon FRANK HOUGH: I will continue - Its unique morphological, physiological and ecological characteristics make it ideal for treating water, rehabilitating land for preventing erosion and controlling sediment. Throughout the past two decades, vetiver grass has been used throughout the world, including in Queensland. (1) Is the Department of Agriculture aware of vetiver grass and its many useful agricultural applications? (2) (a) When did the Department of Agriculture conduct a short-run or long-run trial on vetiver grass for salinity mitigation in Western Australia; and (b) if no trials have been conducted, why not? (3) When will the Department of Agriculture instigate trials for vetiver grass for the management of salinity in Western Australia? Hon KIM CHANCE
AnswerView source ↗
I thank Hon Frank Hough for some notice of this question. In respect of vetiver grass and a range of other grasses sourced from Africa and the Middle East, an enormous amount of very good germplasm material has been introduced into Australia principally through our joint activities with the Centre for Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture. Vetiver is one of these; however, its use is somewhat limited. (1) Yes. (2) (a) A trial planting of vetiver grass was established in 1995 on a farm in Woodanilling. Monitoring has shown the plants will survive in our conditions. (b) Not applicable. (3) The department will not be instigating any trials for the management of salinity. Analysis has shown that vetiver grass does not meet current needs for salt-tolerant pastures in Western Australia. Vetiver grass has poor nutritive value for stock, is only mildly salt-tolerant and better species are available that have greater nutritive value, and requires vegetative propagation and thus is expensive to establish on a large scale. Vetiver grass does provide an option, however, for increasing soil stability in disturbed areas and this use is well established in Australia and the rest of the world.
Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich: Did you write that question, Frank? Hon FRANK HOUGH: I am going well, thanks, if the minister does not mind - The PRESIDENT: Order, members! If the member does not get to the question, we will move on to another one. Hon FRANK HOUGH: I will continue - Its unique morphological, physiological and ecological characteristics make it ideal for treating water, rehabilitating land for preventing erosion and controlling sediment. Throughout the past two decades, vetiver grass has been used throughout the world, including in Queensland. (1) Is the Department of Agriculture aware of vetiver grass and its many useful agricultural applications? (2) (a) When did the Department of Agriculture conduct a short-run or long-run trial on vetiver grass for salinity mitigation in Western Australia; and (b) if no trials have been conducted, why not? (3) When will the Department of Agriculture instigate trials for vetiver grass for the management of salinity in Western Australia? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Frank Hough for some notice of this question. In respect of vetiver grass and a range of other grasses sourced from Africa and the Middle East, an enormous amount of very good germplasm material has been introduced into Australia principally through our joint activities with the Centre for Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture. Vetiver is one of these; however, its use is somewhat limited. (1) Yes. (2) (a) A trial planting of vetiver grass was established in 1995 on a farm in Woodanilling. Monitoring has shown the plants will survive in our conditions. (b) Not applicable. (3) The department will not be instigating any trials for the management of salinity. Analysis has shown that vetiver grass does not meet current needs for salt-tolerant pastures in Western Australia. Vetiver grass has poor nutritive value for stock, is only mildly salt-tolerant and better species are available that have greater nutritive value, and requires vegetative propagation and thus is expensive to establish on a large scale. Vetiver grass does provide an option, however, for increasing soil stability in disturbed areas and this use is well established in Australia and the rest of the world.
Hon FRANK HOUGH: I am going well, thanks, if the minister does not mind - The PRESIDENT: Order, members! If the member does not get to the question, we will move on to another one. Hon FRANK HOUGH: I will continue - Its unique morphological, physiological and ecological characteristics make it ideal for treating water, rehabilitating land for preventing erosion and controlling sediment. Throughout the past two decades, vetiver grass has been used throughout the world, including in Queensland. (1) Is the Department of Agriculture aware of vetiver grass and its many useful agricultural applications? (2) (a) When did the Department of Agriculture conduct a short-run or long-run trial on vetiver grass for salinity mitigation in Western Australia; and (b) if no trials have been conducted, why not? (3) When will the Department of Agriculture instigate trials for vetiver grass for the management of salinity in Western Australia? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Frank Hough for some notice of this question. In respect of vetiver grass and a range of other grasses sourced from Africa and the Middle East, an enormous amount of very good germplasm material has been introduced into Australia principally through our joint activities with the Centre for Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture. Vetiver is one of these; however, its use is somewhat limited. (1) Yes. (2) (a) A trial planting of vetiver grass was established in 1995 on a farm in Woodanilling. Monitoring has shown the plants will survive in our conditions. (b) Not applicable. (3) The department will not be instigating any trials for the management of salinity. Analysis has shown that vetiver grass does not meet current needs for salt-tolerant pastures in Western Australia. Vetiver grass has poor nutritive value for stock, is only mildly salt-tolerant and better species are available that have greater nutritive value, and requires vegetative propagation and thus is expensive to establish on a large scale. Vetiver grass does provide an option, however, for increasing soil stability in disturbed areas and this use is well established in Australia and the rest of the world.
The PRESIDENT: Order, members! If the member does not get to the question, we will move on to another one. Hon FRANK HOUGH: I will continue - Its unique morphological, physiological and ecological characteristics make it ideal for treating water, rehabilitating land for preventing erosion and controlling sediment. Throughout the past two decades, vetiver grass has been used throughout the world, including in Queensland. (1) Is the Department of Agriculture aware of vetiver grass and its many useful agricultural applications? (2) (a) When did the Department of Agriculture conduct a short-run or long-run trial on vetiver grass for salinity mitigation in Western Australia; and (b) if no trials have been conducted, why not? (3) When will the Department of Agriculture instigate trials for vetiver grass for the management of salinity in Western Australia? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Frank Hough for some notice of this question. In respect of vetiver grass and a range of other grasses sourced from Africa and the Middle East, an enormous amount of very good germplasm material has been introduced into Australia principally through our joint activities with the Centre for Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture. Vetiver is one of these; however, its use is somewhat limited. (1) Yes. (2) (a) A trial planting of vetiver grass was established in 1995 on a farm in Woodanilling. Monitoring has shown the plants will survive in our conditions. (b) Not applicable. (3) The department will not be instigating any trials for the management of salinity. Analysis has shown that vetiver grass does not meet current needs for salt-tolerant pastures in Western Australia. Vetiver grass has poor nutritive value for stock, is only mildly salt-tolerant and better species are available that have greater nutritive value, and requires vegetative propagation and thus is expensive to establish on a large scale. Vetiver grass does provide an option, however, for increasing soil stability in disturbed areas and this use is well established in Australia and the rest of the world.
Hon FRANK HOUGH: I will continue - Its unique morphological, physiological and ecological characteristics make it ideal for treating water, rehabilitating land for preventing erosion and controlling sediment. Throughout the past two decades, vetiver grass has been used throughout the world, including in Queensland. (1) Is the Department of Agriculture aware of vetiver grass and its many useful agricultural applications? (2) (a) When did the Department of Agriculture conduct a short-run or long-run trial on vetiver grass for salinity mitigation in Western Australia; and (b) if no trials have been conducted, why not? (3) When will the Department of Agriculture instigate trials for vetiver grass for the management of salinity in Western Australia? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Frank Hough for some notice of this question. In respect of vetiver grass and a range of other grasses sourced from Africa and the Middle East, an enormous amount of very good germplasm material has been introduced into Australia principally through our joint activities with the Centre for Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture. Vetiver is one of these; however, its use is somewhat limited. (1) Yes. (2) (a) A trial planting of vetiver grass was established in 1995 on a farm in Woodanilling. Monitoring has shown the plants will survive in our conditions. (b) Not applicable. (3) The department will not be instigating any trials for the management of salinity. Analysis has shown that vetiver grass does not meet current needs for salt-tolerant pastures in Western Australia. Vetiver grass has poor nutritive value for stock, is only mildly salt-tolerant and better species are available that have greater nutritive value, and requires vegetative propagation and thus is expensive to establish on a large scale. Vetiver grass does provide an option, however, for increasing soil stability in disturbed areas and this use is well established in Australia and the rest of the world.
Its unique morphological, physiological and ecological characteristics make it ideal for treating water, rehabilitating land for preventing erosion and controlling sediment. Throughout the past two decades, vetiver grass has been used throughout the world, including in Queensland. (1) Is the Department of Agriculture aware of vetiver grass and its many useful agricultural applications? (2) (a) When did the Department of Agriculture conduct a short-run or long-run trial on vetiver grass for salinity mitigation in Western Australia; and (b) if no trials have been conducted, why not? (3) When will the Department of Agriculture instigate trials for vetiver grass for the management of salinity in Western Australia? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Frank Hough for some notice of this question. In respect of vetiver grass and a range of other grasses sourced from Africa and the Middle East, an enormous amount of very good germplasm material has been introduced into Australia principally through our joint activities with the Centre for Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture. Vetiver is one of these; however, its use is somewhat limited. (1) Yes. (2) (a) A trial planting of vetiver grass was established in 1995 on a farm in Woodanilling. Monitoring has shown the plants will survive in our conditions. (b) Not applicable. (3) The department will not be instigating any trials for the management of salinity. Analysis has shown that vetiver grass does not meet current needs for salt-tolerant pastures in Western Australia. Vetiver grass has poor nutritive value for stock, is only mildly salt-tolerant and better species are available that have greater nutritive value, and requires vegetative propagation and thus is expensive to establish on a large scale. Vetiver grass does provide an option, however, for increasing soil stability in disturbed areas and this use is well established in Australia and the rest of the world.
(1) Is the Department of Agriculture aware of vetiver grass and its many useful agricultural applications? (2) (a) When did the Department of Agriculture conduct a short-run or long-run trial on vetiver grass for salinity mitigation in Western Australia; and (b) if no trials have been conducted, why not? (3) When will the Department of Agriculture instigate trials for vetiver grass for the management of salinity in Western Australia? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Frank Hough for some notice of this question. In respect of vetiver grass and a range of other grasses sourced from Africa and the Middle East, an enormous amount of very good germplasm material has been introduced into Australia principally through our joint activities with the Centre for Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture. Vetiver is one of these; however, its use is somewhat limited. (1) Yes. (2) (a) A trial planting of vetiver grass was established in 1995 on a farm in Woodanilling. Monitoring has shown the plants will survive in our conditions. (b) Not applicable. (3) The department will not be instigating any trials for the management of salinity. Analysis has shown that vetiver grass does not meet current needs for salt-tolerant pastures in Western Australia. Vetiver grass has poor nutritive value for stock, is only mildly salt-tolerant and better species are available that have greater nutritive value, and requires vegetative propagation and thus is expensive to establish on a large scale. Vetiver grass does provide an option, however, for increasing soil stability in disturbed areas and this use is well established in Australia and the rest of the world.
(2) (a) When did the Department of Agriculture conduct a short-run or long-run trial on vetiver grass for salinity mitigation in Western Australia; and (b) if no trials have been conducted, why not? (3) When will the Department of Agriculture instigate trials for vetiver grass for the management of salinity in Western Australia? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Frank Hough for some notice of this question. In respect of vetiver grass and a range of other grasses sourced from Africa and the Middle East, an enormous amount of very good germplasm material has been introduced into Australia principally through our joint activities with the Centre for Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture. Vetiver is one of these; however, its use is somewhat limited. (1) Yes. (2) (a) A trial planting of vetiver grass was established in 1995 on a farm in Woodanilling. Monitoring has shown the plants will survive in our conditions. (b) Not applicable. (3) The department will not be instigating any trials for the management of salinity. Analysis has shown that vetiver grass does not meet current needs for salt-tolerant pastures in Western Australia. Vetiver grass has poor nutritive value for stock, is only mildly salt-tolerant and better species are available that have greater nutritive value, and requires vegetative propagation and thus is expensive to establish on a large scale. Vetiver grass does provide an option, however, for increasing soil stability in disturbed areas and this use is well established in Australia and the rest of the world.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Frank Hough for some notice of this question. In respect of vetiver grass and a range of other grasses sourced from Africa and the Middle East, an enormous amount of very good germplasm material has been introduced into Australia principally through our joint activities with the Centre for Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture. Vetiver is one of these; however, its use is somewhat limited. (1) Yes. (2) (a) A trial planting of vetiver grass was established in 1995 on a farm in Woodanilling. Monitoring has shown the plants will survive in our conditions. (b) Not applicable. (3) The department will not be instigating any trials for the management of salinity. Analysis has shown that vetiver grass does not meet current needs for salt-tolerant pastures in Western Australia. Vetiver grass has poor nutritive value for stock, is only mildly salt-tolerant and better species are available that have greater nutritive value, and requires vegetative propagation and thus is expensive to establish on a large scale. Vetiver grass does provide an option, however, for increasing soil stability in disturbed areas and this use is well established in Australia and the rest of the world.
I thank Hon Frank Hough for some notice of this question. In respect of vetiver grass and a range of other grasses sourced from Africa and the Middle East, an enormous amount of very good germplasm material has been introduced into Australia principally through our joint activities with the Centre for Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture. Vetiver is one of these; however, its use is somewhat limited. (1) Yes. (2) (a) A trial planting of vetiver grass was established in 1995 on a farm in Woodanilling. Monitoring has shown the plants will survive in our conditions. (b) Not applicable. (3) The department will not be instigating any trials for the management of salinity. Analysis has shown that vetiver grass does not meet current needs for salt-tolerant pastures in Western Australia. Vetiver grass has poor nutritive value for stock, is only mildly salt-tolerant and better species are available that have greater nutritive value, and requires vegetative propagation and thus is expensive to establish on a large scale. Vetiver grass does provide an option, however, for increasing soil stability in disturbed areas and this use is well established in Australia and the rest of the world.
(1) Yes. (2) (a) A trial planting of vetiver grass was established in 1995 on a farm in Woodanilling. Monitoring has shown the plants will survive in our conditions. (b) Not applicable. (3) The department will not be instigating any trials for the management of salinity. Analysis has shown that vetiver grass does not meet current needs for salt-tolerant pastures in Western Australia. Vetiver grass has poor nutritive value for stock, is only mildly salt-tolerant and better species are available that have greater nutritive value, and requires vegetative propagation and thus is expensive to establish on a large scale. Vetiver grass does provide an option, however, for increasing soil stability in disturbed areas and this use is well established in Australia and the rest of the world.
(2) (a) A trial planting of vetiver grass was established in 1995 on a farm in Woodanilling. Monitoring has shown the plants will survive in our conditions. (b) Not applicable. (3) The department will not be instigating any trials for the management of salinity. Analysis has shown that vetiver grass does not meet current needs for salt-tolerant pastures in Western Australia. Vetiver grass has poor nutritive value for stock, is only mildly salt-tolerant and better species are available that have greater nutritive value, and requires vegetative propagation and thus is expensive to establish on a large scale. Vetiver grass does provide an option, however, for increasing soil stability in disturbed areas and this use is well established in Australia and the rest of the world.
Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich: Did you write that question, Frank? Hon FRANK HOUGH: I am going well, thanks, if the minister does not mind - The PRESIDENT: Order, members! If the member does not get to the question, we will move on to another one. Hon FRANK HOUGH: I will continue - Its unique morphological, physiological and ecological characteristics make it ideal for treating water, rehabilitating land for preventing erosion and controlling sediment. Throughout the past two decades, vetiver grass has been used throughout the world, including in Queensland. (1) Is the Department of Agriculture aware of vetiver grass and its many useful agricultural applications? (2) (a) When did the Department of Agriculture conduct a short-run or long-run trial on vetiver grass for salinity mitigation in Western Australia; and (b) if no trials have been conducted, why not? (3) When will the Department of Agriculture instigate trials for vetiver grass for the management of salinity in Western Australia? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Frank Hough for some notice of this question. In respect of vetiver grass and a range of other grasses sourced from Africa and the Middle East, an enormous amount of very good germplasm material has been introduced into Australia principally through our joint activities with the Centre for Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture. Vetiver is one of these; however, its use is somewhat limited. (1) Yes. (2) (a) A trial planting of vetiver grass was established in 1995 on a farm in Woodanilling. Monitoring has shown the plants will survive in our conditions. (b) Not applicable. (3) The department will not be instigating any trials for the management of salinity. Analysis has shown that vetiver grass does not meet current needs for salt-tolerant pastures in Western Australia. Vetiver grass has poor nutritive value for stock, is only mildly salt-tolerant and better species are available that have greater nutritive value, and requires vegetative propagation and thus is expensive to establish on a large scale. Vetiver grass does provide an option, however, for increasing soil stability in disturbed areas and this use is well established in Australia and the rest of the world.
Hon FRANK HOUGH: I am going well, thanks, if the minister does not mind - The PRESIDENT: Order, members! If the member does not get to the question, we will move on to another one. Hon FRANK HOUGH: I will continue - Its unique morphological, physiological and ecological characteristics make it ideal for treating water, rehabilitating land for preventing erosion and controlling sediment. Throughout the past two decades, vetiver grass has been used throughout the world, including in Queensland. (1) Is the Department of Agriculture aware of vetiver grass and its many useful agricultural applications? (2) (a) When did the Department of Agriculture conduct a short-run or long-run trial on vetiver grass for salinity mitigation in Western Australia; and (b) if no trials have been conducted, why not? (3) When will the Department of Agriculture instigate trials for vetiver grass for the management of salinity in Western Australia? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Frank Hough for some notice of this question. In respect of vetiver grass and a range of other grasses sourced from Africa and the Middle East, an enormous amount of very good germplasm material has been introduced into Australia principally through our joint activities with the Centre for Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture. Vetiver is one of these; however, its use is somewhat limited. (1) Yes. (2) (a) A trial planting of vetiver grass was established in 1995 on a farm in Woodanilling. Monitoring has shown the plants will survive in our conditions. (b) Not applicable. (3) The department will not be instigating any trials for the management of salinity. Analysis has shown that vetiver grass does not meet current needs for salt-tolerant pastures in Western Australia. Vetiver grass has poor nutritive value for stock, is only mildly salt-tolerant and better species are available that have greater nutritive value, and requires vegetative propagation and thus is expensive to establish on a large scale. Vetiver grass does provide an option, however, for increasing soil stability in disturbed areas and this use is well established in Australia and the rest of the world.
The PRESIDENT: Order, members! If the member does not get to the question, we will move on to another one. Hon FRANK HOUGH: I will continue - Its unique morphological, physiological and ecological characteristics make it ideal for treating water, rehabilitating land for preventing erosion and controlling sediment. Throughout the past two decades, vetiver grass has been used throughout the world, including in Queensland. (1) Is the Department of Agriculture aware of vetiver grass and its many useful agricultural applications? (2) (a) When did the Department of Agriculture conduct a short-run or long-run trial on vetiver grass for salinity mitigation in Western Australia; and (b) if no trials have been conducted, why not? (3) When will the Department of Agriculture instigate trials for vetiver grass for the management of salinity in Western Australia? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Frank Hough for some notice of this question. In respect of vetiver grass and a range of other grasses sourced from Africa and the Middle East, an enormous amount of very good germplasm material has been introduced into Australia principally through our joint activities with the Centre for Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture. Vetiver is one of these; however, its use is somewhat limited. (1) Yes. (2) (a) A trial planting of vetiver grass was established in 1995 on a farm in Woodanilling. Monitoring has shown the plants will survive in our conditions. (b) Not applicable. (3) The department will not be instigating any trials for the management of salinity. Analysis has shown that vetiver grass does not meet current needs for salt-tolerant pastures in Western Australia. Vetiver grass has poor nutritive value for stock, is only mildly salt-tolerant and better species are available that have greater nutritive value, and requires vegetative propagation and thus is expensive to establish on a large scale. Vetiver grass does provide an option, however, for increasing soil stability in disturbed areas and this use is well established in Australia and the rest of the world.
Hon FRANK HOUGH: I will continue - Its unique morphological, physiological and ecological characteristics make it ideal for treating water, rehabilitating land for preventing erosion and controlling sediment. Throughout the past two decades, vetiver grass has been used throughout the world, including in Queensland. (1) Is the Department of Agriculture aware of vetiver grass and its many useful agricultural applications? (2) (a) When did the Department of Agriculture conduct a short-run or long-run trial on vetiver grass for salinity mitigation in Western Australia; and (b) if no trials have been conducted, why not? (3) When will the Department of Agriculture instigate trials for vetiver grass for the management of salinity in Western Australia? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Frank Hough for some notice of this question. In respect of vetiver grass and a range of other grasses sourced from Africa and the Middle East, an enormous amount of very good germplasm material has been introduced into Australia principally through our joint activities with the Centre for Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture. Vetiver is one of these; however, its use is somewhat limited. (1) Yes. (2) (a) A trial planting of vetiver grass was established in 1995 on a farm in Woodanilling. Monitoring has shown the plants will survive in our conditions. (b) Not applicable. (3) The department will not be instigating any trials for the management of salinity. Analysis has shown that vetiver grass does not meet current needs for salt-tolerant pastures in Western Australia. Vetiver grass has poor nutritive value for stock, is only mildly salt-tolerant and better species are available that have greater nutritive value, and requires vegetative propagation and thus is expensive to establish on a large scale. Vetiver grass does provide an option, however, for increasing soil stability in disturbed areas and this use is well established in Australia and the rest of the world.
Its unique morphological, physiological and ecological characteristics make it ideal for treating water, rehabilitating land for preventing erosion and controlling sediment. Throughout the past two decades, vetiver grass has been used throughout the world, including in Queensland. (1) Is the Department of Agriculture aware of vetiver grass and its many useful agricultural applications? (2) (a) When did the Department of Agriculture conduct a short-run or long-run trial on vetiver grass for salinity mitigation in Western Australia; and (b) if no trials have been conducted, why not? (3) When will the Department of Agriculture instigate trials for vetiver grass for the management of salinity in Western Australia? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Frank Hough for some notice of this question. In respect of vetiver grass and a range of other grasses sourced from Africa and the Middle East, an enormous amount of very good germplasm material has been introduced into Australia principally through our joint activities with the Centre for Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture. Vetiver is one of these; however, its use is somewhat limited. (1) Yes. (2) (a) A trial planting of vetiver grass was established in 1995 on a farm in Woodanilling. Monitoring has shown the plants will survive in our conditions. (b) Not applicable. (3) The department will not be instigating any trials for the management of salinity. Analysis has shown that vetiver grass does not meet current needs for salt-tolerant pastures in Western Australia. Vetiver grass has poor nutritive value for stock, is only mildly salt-tolerant and better species are available that have greater nutritive value, and requires vegetative propagation and thus is expensive to establish on a large scale. Vetiver grass does provide an option, however, for increasing soil stability in disturbed areas and this use is well established in Australia and the rest of the world.
(1) Is the Department of Agriculture aware of vetiver grass and its many useful agricultural applications? (2) (a) When did the Department of Agriculture conduct a short-run or long-run trial on vetiver grass for salinity mitigation in Western Australia; and (b) if no trials have been conducted, why not? (3) When will the Department of Agriculture instigate trials for vetiver grass for the management of salinity in Western Australia? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Frank Hough for some notice of this question. In respect of vetiver grass and a range of other grasses sourced from Africa and the Middle East, an enormous amount of very good germplasm material has been introduced into Australia principally through our joint activities with the Centre for Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture. Vetiver is one of these; however, its use is somewhat limited. (1) Yes. (2) (a) A trial planting of vetiver grass was established in 1995 on a farm in Woodanilling. Monitoring has shown the plants will survive in our conditions. (b) Not applicable. (3) The department will not be instigating any trials for the management of salinity. Analysis has shown that vetiver grass does not meet current needs for salt-tolerant pastures in Western Australia. Vetiver grass has poor nutritive value for stock, is only mildly salt-tolerant and better species are available that have greater nutritive value, and requires vegetative propagation and thus is expensive to establish on a large scale. Vetiver grass does provide an option, however, for increasing soil stability in disturbed areas and this use is well established in Australia and the rest of the world.
(2) (a) When did the Department of Agriculture conduct a short-run or long-run trial on vetiver grass for salinity mitigation in Western Australia; and (b) if no trials have been conducted, why not? (3) When will the Department of Agriculture instigate trials for vetiver grass for the management of salinity in Western Australia? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Frank Hough for some notice of this question. In respect of vetiver grass and a range of other grasses sourced from Africa and the Middle East, an enormous amount of very good germplasm material has been introduced into Australia principally through our joint activities with the Centre for Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture. Vetiver is one of these; however, its use is somewhat limited. (1) Yes. (2) (a) A trial planting of vetiver grass was established in 1995 on a farm in Woodanilling. Monitoring has shown the plants will survive in our conditions. (b) Not applicable. (3) The department will not be instigating any trials for the management of salinity. Analysis has shown that vetiver grass does not meet current needs for salt-tolerant pastures in Western Australia. Vetiver grass has poor nutritive value for stock, is only mildly salt-tolerant and better species are available that have greater nutritive value, and requires vegetative propagation and thus is expensive to establish on a large scale. Vetiver grass does provide an option, however, for increasing soil stability in disturbed areas and this use is well established in Australia and the rest of the world.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Frank Hough for some notice of this question. In respect of vetiver grass and a range of other grasses sourced from Africa and the Middle East, an enormous amount of very good germplasm material has been introduced into Australia principally through our joint activities with the Centre for Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture. Vetiver is one of these; however, its use is somewhat limited. (1) Yes. (2) (a) A trial planting of vetiver grass was established in 1995 on a farm in Woodanilling. Monitoring has shown the plants will survive in our conditions. (b) Not applicable. (3) The department will not be instigating any trials for the management of salinity. Analysis has shown that vetiver grass does not meet current needs for salt-tolerant pastures in Western Australia. Vetiver grass has poor nutritive value for stock, is only mildly salt-tolerant and better species are available that have greater nutritive value, and requires vegetative propagation and thus is expensive to establish on a large scale. Vetiver grass does provide an option, however, for increasing soil stability in disturbed areas and this use is well established in Australia and the rest of the world.
I thank Hon Frank Hough for some notice of this question. In respect of vetiver grass and a range of other grasses sourced from Africa and the Middle East, an enormous amount of very good germplasm material has been introduced into Australia principally through our joint activities with the Centre for Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture. Vetiver is one of these; however, its use is somewhat limited. (1) Yes. (2) (a) A trial planting of vetiver grass was established in 1995 on a farm in Woodanilling. Monitoring has shown the plants will survive in our conditions. (b) Not applicable. (3) The department will not be instigating any trials for the management of salinity. Analysis has shown that vetiver grass does not meet current needs for salt-tolerant pastures in Western Australia. Vetiver grass has poor nutritive value for stock, is only mildly salt-tolerant and better species are available that have greater nutritive value, and requires vegetative propagation and thus is expensive to establish on a large scale. Vetiver grass does provide an option, however, for increasing soil stability in disturbed areas and this use is well established in Australia and the rest of the world.
(1) Yes. (2) (a) A trial planting of vetiver grass was established in 1995 on a farm in Woodanilling. Monitoring has shown the plants will survive in our conditions. (b) Not applicable. (3) The department will not be instigating any trials for the management of salinity. Analysis has shown that vetiver grass does not meet current needs for salt-tolerant pastures in Western Australia. Vetiver grass has poor nutritive value for stock, is only mildly salt-tolerant and better species are available that have greater nutritive value, and requires vegetative propagation and thus is expensive to establish on a large scale. Vetiver grass does provide an option, however, for increasing soil stability in disturbed areas and this use is well established in Australia and the rest of the world.
(2) (a) A trial planting of vetiver grass was established in 1995 on a farm in Woodanilling. Monitoring has shown the plants will survive in our conditions. (b) Not applicable. (3) The department will not be instigating any trials for the management of salinity. Analysis has shown that vetiver grass does not meet current needs for salt-tolerant pastures in Western Australia. Vetiver grass has poor nutritive value for stock, is only mildly salt-tolerant and better species are available that have greater nutritive value, and requires vegetative propagation and thus is expensive to establish on a large scale. Vetiver grass does provide an option, however, for increasing soil stability in disturbed areas and this use is well established in Australia and the rest of the world.
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Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.