The effect of burning and mowing on ungrazed tall grassveld of Natal. The trial was conducted on the Estcourt Research Station to show the effect of 14 burning and mowing treatments without grazing in the tall grassveld of Natal. The treatments caused obvious differences in the botanical composition. A principal component analysis suggests that Themeda triandra, Heteropogon contortus, the Cyperaceae, Diheteropogon amplectens and Elionurus muticus are favoured by frequent spring or August defoliation. Hyparrhenia hirta and Tristachya leucothrix are apparently favoured by infrequent defoliation and, possibly, autumn burning. Hay yields were decreased by burning. Soil loss was greatest in August?burnt plots.
Journal articles from the Grassland Society of Southern Africa (GSSA) African Journal of Range and Forage Science as well as related articles and reports from throughout the southern African region.