Removal of respectively 40% and 80% of the aerial parts (on a fesh mass basis) of Ehrharta calycina (grass) and Osteospermum sinuatum (Karoo?bush) during anthesis, resulted in a decline in total nett CO2 absorption, sugar concentration, starch concentration and total available carbohydrate contents of the plants, with the biggest decline in the 80% cut plants of both species. Although the cut plants recovered to a large extent, due to more efficient CO2 absorption than the control plants, unfavourable climatic conditions, which limited the growth season, resulted in lower total available carbohydrate contents of the 80% cut plants at the end of the experimental period with the contents of the grass only 46% and the Karoo?bush 54% of that of the control plants.
Severe defoliation during anthesis in the year of establishment, is therefore undesirable
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.