Gamba grass (Andropogon gayanus)
Gamba grass leaf showing white midrib
In accordance with the Weeds Management Act Gamba grass is declared as a Class A: (to be eradicated, in all areas of the NT except where it is classified as Class B).
Class B: (Growth and spread to be controlled). This is an area roughly bounded by the NT coastline in the north, the western boundary of Kakadu National Park in the east, the town of Katherine in the south, and the Daly River mouth in the west; and
Class C: (not to be introduced into the NT), (all Class A and B areas are also classified a Class C) weed.
Weed Management Plan for Gamba Grass (Andropogon gayanus)
The Minister for Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage has approved the Weed Management Plan for Andropogon gayanus (Gamba Grass) 2010.
The Plan was developed with extensive stakeholder and community consultation, and establishes the management objectives to be achieved by land managers, and provides a range of suggested best practice management actions to achieve these.
The Plan forms part of a strategic approach to weed management in the Northern Territory, with the overall aim being to mitigate the damage caused by gamba grass in relation to the natural environment, property, infrastructure and public health.
All landholders are now required to meet the management objectives outlined in the plan.
- Weed Management Plan for Gamba Grass (Andropogon gayanus) 2010 (736Kb)
- Gamba grass Photo Identification Table (pdf 444 Kb)
- Gamba grass Weed Note (pdf 724 Kb)
Gamba grass was deliberately introduced into the NT as a pasture species in the 1930’s. Subsequent research and trials resulted in wide plantings in the pastoral and agricultural areas of the Top End. Since this time gamba grass has proved to be highly invasive with the ability to rapidly alter and damage savanna landscapes when it is not adequately managed.
It is noted that well managed gamba grass continues to be used as a productive and palatable fodder.
Gamba grass grows rapidly to form tussocks which are bigger, taller and more dense than native grass species. These tussocks cure (dry off) late in the Dry season creating an unnaturally high fuel load, which can result in late and intense fires. These fires can dramatically alter native plant communities and severely decrease local plant biodiversity.
In some areas this process of hot, late fires coupled with gamba’s ability to quickly colonise the disturbed areas it creates, is leading to a cycle of woodlands being replaced by tall perennial grasslands. This impacts negatively on the native animals dependent on the health of the Top End savanna woodlands.
Gamba grass fires are also harder to control, as a result significant infrastructure losses have occurred in high infestation areas.
Gamba grass stem showing fine hairs