t
his article is the second of a series of articles highlighting a
specificpasturecropspeciesthatcanplayan imperativerole in
conservation agriculture (CA) based crop-pasture-rotations.
Besides improving the physical, chemical, hydrological and
biological properties of the soil, such species, including
annual or perennial cover crops, can successfully be used as
animal feed.
Livestock production systems are in many ways dependant on the
utilisation of pasture species, in this case as a pasture ley crop, and
can therefore become an integral component of CA-based crop-
pasture-rotations. It is imperative however to identify a pasture
species fulfilling the requirements of a dual purpose crop, i.e. for
livestock fodder and soil restoration.
Eragrostis curvula
Weeping lovegrass (
oulandsgras
)
Background
Weeping lovegrass were planted early in the 1930’s in KwaZulu-
Natal. Itwaspopularbecauseof itsability togrowon relative infertile
soil, suchasoldcrop lands, and thisgavebirth to theAfrikaansname
of
oulandsgras
.
During the Second World War all pasture research came to a halt,
but after thewar,weeping lovegrassseedwerecollectedon the farm
Welgelegen, near Ermelo. This seedwas thenplanted andevaluated
on several experimental farms of theDepartment of Agriculture and
henceforth the cultivar, Ermelo, became known.
Agro-ecological distribution
The Ermelo cultivar is still themost popular, and is used extensively
in the colder Highveld areas of South Africa. The reason for its
popularity is its ability to adapt to a variety of climatic and soil
conditions. Although it will survive in rainfall conditions of as low
as 450 mm, it is mainly grown in cooler areas with a rainfall of
650 mm and higher. It can survive severe frost and will grow on
almost any soil, even on sandy soilswith a low pH. One condition it
is not adapted to iswet, waterlogged soils.
Management and utilisation
There are various cultivars registered in South Africa, and they
include Ermelo, Agpal and PUK 436. American leafy is anAmerican
cultivar that is often imported as well. The Ermelo cultivar is the
commonest cultivar and most proven to be a very good hay crop,
whilePUK436has the ability to staygreen later into the autumn and
is thereforebetter known for its grazingpotential.
Since weeping lovegrass have very fine seeds, it should be
established in awell-prepared, fine and firm seedbed. Proper rolling
before and after seedingwill benefit germination and establishment
tremendously. Establishment can be done with pure weeping love-
grass seed or in amixturewith annual
Eragrostis tef
(teff). The best
time for establishment is November/December or in February if
broadleaf weeds are a problem.
If weeping lovegrass are established as amono crop in higher rain-
fall areas, a seeding rate of 4 kg/ha to 6 kg/ha is recommended.
When it has to be broadcasted in higher rainfall areas, 6 kg/ha to
8 kg/ha is the recommendation.
Whenweed infestation is noted as a serious problemorwhenquick
establishment is required, a mixture of weeping lovegrass and teff
canbeused. The followingmixtures are suggested:
Low rainfall (broadcast): 2 kg/ha to 4 kg/ha weeping lovegrass
plus 4 kg/ha to 6 kg/ha teff.
Low rainfall (rows): 2 kg/haweeping lovegrass plus 5 kg/ha teff.
High rainfall (broadcast): 6 kg/ha to 8 kg/ha weeping lovegrass
plus 8 kg/ha to 10 kg/ha teff.
High rainfall (rows): 3 kg/haweeping lovegrass plus 6 kg/ha teff.
As previously mentioned, rolling before and after seeding ensures
a good seed soil contact which facilitates germination and seedling
establishment by approximately 20% - 40% depending on the soil
type and condition.
Although weeping lovegrass will grow in a soil with a low pH, it is
suggested to improve the soil pH to a level of 6 - 7 through lime
application and incorporation before establishment. Additionally,
the phosphorus (P) content of the soil should be 15mg/kg - 20mg/
kg before establishment, while the potassium (K) content should
be between 100 mg/kg and 150 mg/kg. It is important to monitor
and maintain these fertility levels, especially in the case of hay
production, where no recycling of nutrients occurs through dung
deposits and/or urination.
WAYNE TRUTER,
University of Pretoria,
CHRISDANNHAUSER,
Grass SA,
HENDRIKSMITH,
Grain SA and
GERRIE TRYTSMAN,
ARC-Animal Production Institute
Integrated cropandpasture-based
livestockproduction systems
–Part 2
AGRICULTURE
Conservat ion
Series
ON FARM LEVEL
Conservationagriculture
49
April 2014
