Year One Results of the IVMP

Background research commenced in December 2007 with a focus on identifying and reviewing relevant literature and prior research activities related to the IVMP Project.

Following the initial review and following consultation with members of the IVMP Technical Team, the team meet in Sydney for the first Technical Team Meeting in February 2008. At this meeting the team developed formal meeting ground rules, reviewed the criteria for potential trials sites, discussed refinements to draft trial protocols and confidentiality, and discussed the use of the internet as a vehicle to communicate project information to project partners and other stakeholders. It was also decided that quarterly reporting should mirror the format HAL require for the Milestone Reporting, with each quarterly report building towards the Annual Milestone Report.

In February 2008 planning commenced for the project web portal. The Technical Team finalised the scope and a web brief and quotation was received for the build of the IVMP portal. Project reporting and communication requirements were considered and it decided that the secure web portal was the preferred communication vehicle for both confidential and public project information sharing and communication.

Construction of Stage One of the web portal commenced and was completed in July 2008 and final communication systems were implemented in September 2008.The Technical Team met again twice March and June to finalise trial site locations and requirements, trial protocols and project communication. Access into the DPI trial plots for the initial phytotoxic trials was also negotiated with Syngenta who had leased half of the trial plots at the Redlands Research Facility for a three year period.

In February 2008 work also commenced on the development of the trial protocols for the field efficacy trials. Trial sites for efficacy trials were investigated along with terrain and climate conditions. In May 2008 approvals for the use of field trial sites were sought. Initial efforts focussed on the undesirable species to be targeted, along with species lifecycles, seasonal cycles, composition, population dynamics, seed head heights and prevailing environmental conditions.

In March, April and May 2008 presentations introducing the IVMP project were delivered to a wide range of stakeholders involved in vegetation management in SEQ including Local Government Managers and Supervisors, Vegetation Management Contractors, Golf Superintendents and Industry supporters. During the same period educational forums were conducted with staff with vegetation management responsibilities who are employed by project contributors / partners.

In May 2008, screening trials of a range of chemicals began at the DPI&F facility at Redlands. The chemicals tested in these trails were products considered to have potential in assisting in the management of the undesirable grass species. The trials were conducted to evaluate the phytotoxic effects on desirable turfgrass species.

In July 2008, a research trip to the USA was completed by project representatives. The purpose of the visit the US was primarily to look at mown vegetation management in the US, specifically integrated vegetation management strategies from nutrition and appropriate species selection, through to the use of Plant Growth Regulators and herbicides with growth regulatory effects. The project representatives met with a broad spectrum of professionals involved in vegetation management in the US so as to better understand the successes and challenges faced by asset owners, asset managers, Vegetation Management service providers and product suppliers

IVM at its best in North Carolina

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