Publication Date
1997
Description
Eight paddocks which were debushed to an open savanna during 1935/36 and subsequently grazed annually during different seasons by steers were surveyed after a period of 54 years. Though woody plants have increased in all the paddocks, regardless of the grazing treatment, the rate of woody plant establishment was notably higher in those paddocks that received a more intense annual grazing treatment. This effect was most noticeable in those paddocks of which the mean Animal Unit-grazing days ha-1 exceeded 100 days annually. These results confirm the existence of a positive linear relationship between the severity of the grazing treatment and the rate at which woody plants have increased.
Citation
Smit, G N. and Rethman, N.F G., "The Effect of Long-Term Grazing Treatments on the Establishment of Woody Plants in a Southern African Savanna" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1997-2023). 4.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1997/session23/4
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
The Effect of Long-Term Grazing Treatments on the Establishment of Woody Plants in a Southern African Savanna
Eight paddocks which were debushed to an open savanna during 1935/36 and subsequently grazed annually during different seasons by steers were surveyed after a period of 54 years. Though woody plants have increased in all the paddocks, regardless of the grazing treatment, the rate of woody plant establishment was notably higher in those paddocks that received a more intense annual grazing treatment. This effect was most noticeable in those paddocks of which the mean Animal Unit-grazing days ha-1 exceeded 100 days annually. These results confirm the existence of a positive linear relationship between the severity of the grazing treatment and the rate at which woody plants have increased.
