Fertilization of Southern Tall Grassveld of Natal: effects on botanical composition and utilization under grazing.

Abstract

The long-term effects of nitrogen, phosphate and lime on change in botanical composition and utilisation under grazing of Southern Tall Grassveld of Natal are presented. Nitrogen, phosphate, lime and type of nitrogen affected botanical composition significantly. Generally, fertilisation had the same effect on species composition score as heavy grazing. No change was observed in utilisation by the grazing animal as nitrogen was increased, although a nitrogen x phosphate interaction was evident. Utilisation by the grazing animal was not related to species composition score (SCS). Consequently, SCS alone cannot be used to predict grazing capacity.Language: English

Keywords: botanical composition; botany; fertilization; grassveld; Grazing; grazing capacity; lime; natal; nitrogen; phosphate; south africa; southern tall grassveld; species composition; species composition score; veld condition; Veld conditions