Long term effects of burning and mowing on tall grassveld in Natal: Dry matter production.

Abstract

Veld burning treatments applied annually, biennially or triennially during the first week of August or after the first substantial spring rains considerably reduced herbage yields during the season which followed the burn, but had no long term effect on the productivity of the veld. Long term effects did, however, result from differences in summer utilization. Where veld was not cut for hay in summer, it developed a potential to produce higher yields than veld which was cut during summer season. This increased production potential is, however, accompanied by changes in the nature of the sward which in many respects are undesirable.

Keywords: burning; dry matter production; hay; herbage yield; mowing; natal; production; production potential; productivity; south africa; tall grassveld; treatments; ukulinga research station; utilization; veld burning; yield