Interactions between period of exposure, grazing and crop growth rate of Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. in seasonally flooded areas of the Pongolo River floodplain

Abstract

Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. forms extensive meadows on seasonally inundated areas of the Pongolo river floodplain. As floodwaters receded during winter, the shoots of C. dactylon which had not decomposed during submergence sprouted. Crop growth rate was high (up to 23 kg/ha/d dry mass) and the meadows were heavily grazed by domestic stock which removed up to 15 kg/ha/d. The high crop growth rate was not maintained because as exposure period increased, soils became dry and water stress conditions developed. This caused the C. dactylon to become less palatable and brought about a shift in grazing which allowed a build-up of the grazeable and ungrazeable fraction standing crop. Maximum standing crop occurred at the onset of the next flood. Grazing is shown to have a net negative effect on production, although at different times during exposure defoliation had either a depressing or stimulating effect on growth. It is postulated that the duration of the inundation period is more significant than the duration of the exposure period in maintaining the C. dactylon meadows.