Researchers from Curtin University of Technology's Department of Environmental Biology have made an exciting discovery that is set to make a huge difference to the rehabilitation of vegetation on mine sites.

The new research has revealed that the urine of dingos can effectively repel wild kangaroos from some areas of new-growth vegetation.

According to Project Leader Dr Michael Parsons, once an appropriate delivery mechanism is refined, the repellent can be used in newly restored areas of mine sites to help ensure plant life can be effectively re-established without being grazed by kangaroos.

Curtin partners Alcoa, Worsley Alumina, Chemistry Centre (WA), Perth Zoo, Roo Gully Wildlife Sanctuary, Whiteman Park, and Specialty Feeds assisted the study, which was also funded by the Minerals and Energy Research Institute of Western Australia.

"Although numerous attempts have been made to manipulate herbivore behaviour through the use of predator communication signals, this discovery has some enormously useful applications and importantly, relates to native animals," Dr Parsons explained.

The study looked at the effect of non-native predator urine, namely coyote, but it identified that the deterrent effect on kangaroos was far greater when it came from a native predator.

"The differences between the two sources were obvious even before data had been collected," explained Dr Parsons.

"When we presented tame kangaroos with coyote urine, they became interested in the new smell, but when presented with the dingo urine they were startled and fled."

The study offers the first evidence that native predator-based chemical cues, found in urine, affect what area kangaroos will choose to feed from, while increasing fear.

"We used chemosensory cues present in the dingo urine to manipulate the behaviour of the kangaroos, by taking advantage of the innate and learned fear of natural predators," Dr Parsons said.

"A lesser effect occurred when urine from the similar, but non-native, coyote was used."

From here, the researchers plan to synthesise chemicals from the dingo urine and make available for land managers, including those responsible for mine site rehabilitation areas, to use on a regular basis.

They also plan to assess the practical application of dingo urine in deterring kangaroos from regional highways to prevent collisions with vehicles.

EarthBox® is the new growing system that will allow the easy planting of a vegetable or flower garden in a container measuring almost 1 metre in length, 38 centimetres wide, and 30 centimetres tall.

The EarthBox® is self-watering and comes with a fabric mulch cover that stretches to it's exact size protecting from evaporative water-loss and weeds appearing.

Once filled with potting mix and planted with your desired plants the EarthBox® pretty much takes care of itself water-wise due to it's self-watering design, and because it’s covered, weeds can’t take hold.

To water simply fill the reservoir via the fitted water tube. The unit comes complete with wheels allowing you to either chase the sun or move it out of the way when required.

A clever trellis system is also available as an option for climbing plants such as beans and peas.

See www.earthboxaustralia.com.au

Angle Peach is the newest release from the people at PlantNet who brought us the "Pinkabelle Apple".

Growing 3m x 3m this form of Donut Peach is ideal as a potted specimen or smaller feature tree in the garden.

Angel Peach is 100% self fertile meaning you only require one plant to obtain sweet white fleshed fruit with the bonus of the beautiful pink peach blossom that it displays every spring, ideal when space in your garden is limited.