Animal deaths caused by Pachystigma pygmaeum have reached considerable proportions (reportedly over 70% on some farms) in the Western Transvaal portion of the Bankenveld in some years. In order to investigate methods of eradicating this plant an experiment was laid down on ?klipveld? (stony veld) to investigate the effect of Tordon and Fenotrol (active substance Fenac) on the plant. A 7 × 3 factorial design with two replications was used. Herbicides were applied at three different times of the year and their influence on P. pygmaeum and on the sward was investigated for three years following the application of the herbicides. The concentrations of the active ingredients in the Tordon treatments were respectively 0,530 kg, 1,060 kg and 2,012 kg per ha. The Fenac concentrations used were 2,638 kg, 15,877 kg and 29,070 kg per ha. Treatments wore applied during January, March and April. The best long term results were obtained with 29,070 kg Fenac/ha applied during April. This treatment gave, on the average, 98,15 per cent control with no significant decrease in basal cover and herbage production. The other spray treatments tended to increase the basal cover and herbage production of the sward.
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.