Late autumn and early winter sowings increase survival of native plant species in rehabilitated mine sites in the Western Australian Kwongan

ABSTRACT

Optimum sowing times were examined for 17 native plant species in rehabilitated mineral sands mine sites at Eneabba in the Western Australian Kwongan (115^°20'E, 29^°30'S) from 1982 to 1988. In 1987 and 1988 a superphosphate fertiliser was applied to half of the treatment plots. From 1982-1986, best survival was recorded for May, June and July sowings. However, seedlings from sowings in February, March and April were taller and showed a larger number of leaves than seedlings which resulted from sowings during the later months of the year. For most species survival greatly varied with the year of sowing and was likely affected by several factors, among them low rain fall and high temperatures during summer, and predation. Establishment of seedlings benefited from the application of superphosphate as fertiliser only for one of seven species (Neurachne alopecuroidea).