Abstract
Abstract A series of field experiments were carried out on kimberlite mine tailings located at Cullinan in the Transvaal. The most successful species in pure sward were Chloris gay ana, Cynodon aethopicus, Eragrostis curvula, E. tef, Pennisetum purpureum, Melilotus alba and Medicago sativa. Growth of grasses in the absence of substantial applications of fertilizer N and P was negligible. Additions of sewage sludge considerably improved initial performances, but supplementary N and P was necessary to maintain satisfactory growth. Despite conditions of severe moisture stress, a good cover was produced by a mixed sward with C. gayana, E. curvula, M. alba and M. sativa being the dominant species. Sewage sludge in combination with fertilizer N and P resulted in excellent growth of C. gayana, E. tef and C. aethopicus on a steep slope (± 35°). However, in the absence of sewage sludge, growth was limited mainly to the vegetatively propagated C. aethopicus.
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