The response of Eragrostis curvula cv. Ermelo to three levels of fertilizer (no N or P; 53 kg N + 16 kg P per ha; and 106 kg N + 32 kg P per ha), three times of removing unutilized herbage (July, August and September) and three methods of herbage removal (annual mowing, annual burning and burning and mowing in alternate years) was measured over six years in a 33 factorial experiment.
Each increment of fertilizer produced an increase (P < 0,01) in DM yield, nitrogen and fibre percentage and crude protein and fibre production per ha. But time of defoliation had no effect on any of these variables. Plots cut annually produced more dry matter (P < 0,01) than those burnt annually or those subjected to alternate burning and mowing. The last treatment gave better yields (P < 0,01) than annual burning.
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.