Summary
Poa annua L. is the most widespread weed in the sub-Antarctic, present on all major island groups and on the Antarctic Peninsula. Its ability to withstand heavy grazing has enabled it to spread significantly on islands with introduced herbivores. On Australia’s World Heritage Macquarie Island it is common and widespread. With the recent eradication of rabbits and associated change to vegetation dynamics it is critical to understand the distribution and abundance of P. annua in this rapidly changing environment. Our study aimed to investigate management techniques for P. annua to assist in the development of non-native plant management in the sub-Antarctic and Antarctic. Experiments were designed to study the response of P. annua and native species to physical disturbance and herbicide application. Our preliminary studies indicated that physical disturbance promotes the growth of P. annua over native species, and glyphosate, rimsulphuron and trifloxysulphuron selectively control P. annua under simulated sub-Antarctic temperatures while amitrole, clethodim, dithiopyr, ethofumesate, fluroproponate-sodium, imazamox, simazine and methylbanzthiazuron are less effective. These results provide promising avenues for further research which will contribute to the development of control programs in the sub-Antarctic and Antarctic region.