SAcontrolledClass 3 declared weed · Multiple regions
WAprohibitedControl category C1 · Statewide
TASprohibitedDeclared Weed · Statewide
Nassella neesiana
Chilean Needle Grass (Nassella neesiana) is a perennial tussock-forming grass from South America and a Weed of National Significance in Australia. It invades pastures, native grasslands, roadsides and drainage lines, displacing desirable species and reducing biodiversity. Heavy infestations can reduce pasture productivity by up to 50%. Sharp seeds can injure livestock and downgrade meat, wool, skins and hides. It produces abundant seed, including hidden stem and basal seeds, contributing to a persistent seed bank and making long-term management difficult.
Identify it
Field cues
01Dense tussock-forming grass growing in clumps, often up to about 1–1.5m tall
02Leaves are narrow (about 1–5mm wide), flat to in-rolled, strongly ribbed above, with rough leaf edges
03Open, loosely branched seed head (panicle) with many purplish spikelets
04Seeds are sharp-pointed with a long twisted/bent awn and a small crown-like corona where the awn attaches
05Also produces hidden ‘stem seeds’ within leaf sheaths/nodes and at the base of flowering stems
Distribution records are indicative. Always confirm current status with your state biosecurity authority.
Found in: pastures, native grasslands, roadsides, drainage lines, open woodlands, riparian areas, disturbed ground.
Long-term management is difficult because plants are hardy and long-lived, produce very large numbers of seeds, and build a persistent soil seed bank, including hidden stem and basal seeds that can persist despite grazing or slashing. Effective programs focus on preventing seed production, acting early on new plants, and limiting seed movement between sites via animals, fodder, vehicles and machinery.
1
Remove small infestations early
Manually remove isolated plants or very small patches before flowering and seed set, taking out the plant base and as much root as possible. Destroy removed plant material so it is not left to dry on site.
2
Stop seed movement between paddocks
Clean vehicles and machinery before moving into clean areas, and avoid bringing in or spreading potentially contaminated fodder or seed. Manage livestock movement from infested areas into clean paddocks to reduce seed transfer.
3
Maintain competitive groundcover
Maintain healthy pasture cover and address thin or bare patches that are most at risk of invasion. Re-seed bare ground with pasture species where groundcover has been lost.
Registered herbicide options
GlyphosateGroup 9 · 360 g/L
Spot spray, see permit for critical use comments. Source ↗
GlyphosateGroup 9 · 360 g/L
Boom spray, see permit for critical use comments. Source ↗
GlyphosateGroup 9 · 360 g/L
Wiper suppression, apply when weeds are actively growing and at least 15cm above species to be retained. Source ↗
FlupropanateGroup 15 · 745 g/L
Boom application, apply to actively growing plants from spring to autumn, once per year. Source ↗
FlupropanateGroup 15 · 745 g/L
Spot spray application, apply to actively growing plants from spring to autumn, once per year. Source ↗
FlupropanateGroup 15 · 745 g/L
Wiper suppression, apply when weeds are actively growing and at least 15cm above species to be retained. Source ↗
FlupropanateGroup 15 · 86.9 g/kg
Granular herbicide, apply February to December to actively growing plants. Source ↗
GlyphosateGroup 9 · 360 g/L
Spot spray, rate 1 L per 100 L water (PERMIT 9792). Source ↗
Wiper suppression, rate 3.3 L/10 L water, apply when weeds are actively growing and at least 15cm above species to be retained (PERMIT 9792). Source ↗
FlupropanateGroup 15 · 745 g/L
Boom application, rate 1.5-3.0 L/ha, apply to actively growing plants from spring to autumn, once per year (PERMIT 9792). Source ↗
FlupropanateGroup 15 · 745 g/L
Wiper suppression, rate 500 mL/10 L water, apply when weeds are actively growing and at least 15cm above species to be retained (PERMIT 9792). Source ↗
FlupropanateGroup 15 · 360 g/L
Spot spray mixture, rate 200 mL flupropanate plus 150 mL glyphosate per 100 L water, apply to actively growing plants from spring to autumn, once per year (PERMIT 9792). Source ↗
Use chemicals to the label. Always read the current APVMA-approved label before application.
Check permit conditions for your state, as some uses are limited to council or government staff.
Aquatic situations require products registered for use in or near water.
Why it matters
Impacts
Livestock injury and product downgrading
Long, sharp seeds can injure animals (including eyes) and pierce hides, and seeds can lodge in fleece; these injuries can downgrade meat, wool, skins and hides and may render carcasses unsaleable.
Pasture and biodiversity impacts
Infestations displace desirable pasture species and can reduce pasture productivity by up to 50%, while also replacing native species and reducing biodiversity in native grasslands and other habitats.
Persistent reinfestation pressure
High seed production and a long-lived seed bank, including hidden stem and basal seeds, make reinfestation likely and long-term management difficult.
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