Screening of legumes for veld reinforcementpeulgewastoets vir veld verbetering

Abstract

Abstract In order to test their suitability for veld reinforcement, Desmodium intortum, D. sandwiceme, D. uncinatum,Glycine wightii, Listia heterophylla, Lotononis bainesii, Macroptilium atropurpureum, Stylosanthes fruticosa, S. humilis and three strains of S. guianensis were seeded in December 1970 in disced veld at Marandellas (sand) and near Mazoe (clay). Starting in December 1971 the legumes were grazed in common at two stocking intensities during the wet season only, the dry season only or year‐round, using a simulated rotational grazing system. Legume seedling mortality was high on the sand and only M. atropurpureum and the five Stylosanthes lines had plant densities in the second season greater than 1 plant/m2. On the clay establishment was better and all legumes except L. heterophylla had densities greater than 1 plant/m2. Oxley fine‐stem stylo was the only legume to persist and spread on the sand but on the clay a much wider range of legumes persisted, although all were adversely affected by a ho...