Factors limiting plant growth on mining wastes containing total values of 1 980 ppm As, 1 180 ppm Cu and 2 130 ppm Ni were investigated. Responses to 80 kg N/ha were significant (p = 0,01) on all wastes and mean increases in herbage dry matter were 5 410, 2 462 and 2 690 kg/ha respectively. The main effect of phosphorus (+ 3 176 kg/ha) and the interaction effect of nitrogen with phosphorus (+ 1 353 kg/ha) were significant (p = 0,01) on nickel slimes, and significant (p = 0,05) on the slimes containing arsenic (+ 518 kg/ha). Whilst there was a response to phosphorus on copper slimes (+ 278 kg/ha), this was not significant. The response to potassium (+ 993 kg/ha) was significant (p = 0,05) on nickel slimes; on the other slimes in the study potassium had a negative effect but this was not significant. However, a negative potassium?phosphorus interaction (? 1 116 kg/ha) on nickel slimes was significant (p = 0,05).
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.