Effectiveness of paraquat on the Ngongoni veld of the natal mistbelt

Abstract

In a series of experiments designed to test the use and efficiency of paraquat (when applied as Gramoxone) in controlling the growth of veld grasses in the Ngongoni Sourveld, it was shown that when applied at as low a rate as 106 g cation per hectare (0.21b per morgen) the veld could be burned in summer thus retarding the subsequent growth of grasses. Higher concentrations of paraquat were statistically more effective but from a practical point of view there was no difference between the effects of 1.06 and 3.18 kg paraquat cation per hectare (2 and 6 lb per morgen respectively). The later in the season that paraquat was used, the greater was its effect when measured in the following season. The physical condition of the sward affects the efficiency of the herbicide only in the case of the later applications in the season.

UITTREKSEL

In ‘n reeks proewe om die gebruik en doeltreffendheid van paraquat (toegedien as Gramoxone) op die groei van die veldgrasse van die Ngongoni‐Suurvcld uit te toets is daar gevind dat waar dit toegedien is teen ‘n hoeveelheid van 106 g kation per hectare (0.2 pd per morg) kon die veld in die somer gebrand word om sodoende die hergroei daarvan te strem ; die hoër konsentrasies van paraquat was beduidend meer doeltreffend dog van ‘n praktiese oogpunt gesien het geen wesentlike verskil tussen die uitwerking van 1.06 en 3.18 kg paraquat kation per hectare (2 en 6 pd per morg) bestaan nie. Hoe later in die seisoen die paraquat gebruik word, hoe hoër was die residuele uitwerking in die daaropvolgende seisoen. Die fisiese toestand van die plantegroei het die uitwerking van die onkruidoder beinvloed slegs wanneer toedienings in die laatseisoen gemaak is.