Influence of sward defoliation and soil disturbance on seedling emergence and survival in the Southern Tall Grassveld

Abstract

Development of vegetation from seed requires a seed bank, germination, emergence and subsequent seedling survival. Reports on the influence of a number of practicably feasible treatments to the vegetation and soil on emergence and survival of grass seedlings in the Southern Tall Grassveld of Natal. Illustrates with graphs and tables.

Keywords: defoliation; disturbance; emergence; fire; grassveld; seedling survival; soil; South Africa; Southern Tall Grassveld; survivorship; sward defoliation; tillage; University of Natal Research Farm

African Journal of Range & Forage Science, Vol. 13, Iss 3