Natural revegetation of Kimberlite tailings deposited after extraction at Cullinan in the Transvaal is extremely slow. Laboratory studies showed the high alkalinity (pH = 9,8 in water), lack of abailable N and P and a poor moisture retention arising from the coarse texture(± 64% > 2 mm) and dark grey colour, to be the principal limitations to plant establishment. Remarkable responses to N and P were obtained in a glass?house trial in which Sorghum bicolor PNR 988 was used as an indicator crop. In the presence of added N and P and with enhanced moisture conditions, several species showed promise. The most successful of these were Chloris gayana, Cynodon aethopicus, Cynodon dactylon, Paspalum vaginatum, Eragrostis curvula, Melilotus alba and Medicago sativa.
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.