The rate of leaf emergence and decay as criteria for optimising the grazing rotation in semi-arid grassveld.

Abstract

Reports the results of an investigation conducted to study the dynamics of leaf emergence, longevity and abscission in two grasses, Themeda triandra and Sporobolus fimbriatus as key species in the False Thornveld of the Eastern Cape, and from this to construe a possible grazing regime aimed at maximizing grazable forage in semi-arid sweet grassveld; The dynamics of leaf emergence, longevity and abscission were investigated in two key grasses, Themeda triandra and Sporobolus fimbriatus in semi-arid grassveld in the Eastern Cape. Where there was no moisture stress, new leaves emerged on tillers every two to three weeks. Leaf longevity was approximately three months, and leaf abscised five to six months after emergence. Moisture stress reduced the rate of leaf emergence, leaf longevity and the duration of leaf attachment to tiller. On the basis of the results, it was concluded that in order to maximise forage production, the optimal period of absence in rotational grazing systems in semi-arid sweet grassveld is approximately three months.

Keywords: eastern cape; False Thornveld; forage production; grass; grassveld; grazing; Grazing rotation; Grazing rotation optimization; grazing systems; leaf abscission; Leaf decay; leaf emergence; Leaf longetivity; leaf longevity; moisture stress; period of absence; rotational grazing; semi-arid grassveld; south africa; sporobolus fimbriatus; stress; themeda triandra; tillers

Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa.