313-16 in Proc. The first introduction occurred in south-east Queensland and the second in central Queensland. These differences in biology may offer an explanation why the central Queensland biotype is very aggressive while the south-east Queensland biotype is relatively well contained. In Australia it has become widespread in grazing land from central Queensland to northern New South Wales. Chemical control is possible but is too expensive to control all infestations over such large areas.
Biological control is feasible and the search for natural control agents is on-going.
This is achieved through collaborative research and technology exchange and concerns the topics of biology and ecology and biocontrol. An additional component is looking at ways of transferring the knowledge generated into the agricultural community. Process-based simulation models and geographical information systems are used to monitor and predict future spread. Biological control is developed and enhanced through the use of plant feeding insects and pathogens. The CTPM provides the framework and some financial assistance for the co-ordination and integration of these studies on parthenium weed.