Effects of treading and defoliation height on the growth of Paspalum dilatatum Poir

Abstract

Monocultures of Paspalum dilatatum Poir. were subjected to treading at 0, 15, and 60 sheep equivalents/ha, and defoliation to 2.5 cm and 5 cm. Treading depressed yields in a manner similar to that recorded previously for temperate species, except that yield reduction was associated with reduced yield per tiller and not reduced tiller density. Paspalum monocultures appeared relatively tolerant of direct treading effects and associated increases in soil bulk density, probably because, although winter treading may reduce tiller density, once dormancy was broken recovery was rapid from persistent tough rhizomes. A defoliation height of 2.5 cm was superior to 5 cm in terms of seasonal distribution of yield and total yield. Defoliation height had no effect on the response to treading.