Seed dynamics of Themeda triandra in the montane grasslands of South Africa

• Published in: African journal of range & forage science Vol. 26; no. 1; pp. 19 - 26
• Main Authors: Everson, TM, Yeaton, RI, Everson, CS
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 01-02-2009
• Subjects: BURNING; DISTURBANCE; REGENERATION
• ISSN: 1022-0119; 0256-6702; 1727-9380
• DOI: 10.2989/AJRFS.2009.26.1.3.698

Seed production, viability, dispersal, predation and seed banks of Themeda triandra were determined to assess the potential of the seeds of this indigenous species in the re-establishment of degraded grassland. Annual seed production of T. triandra increased with length
of burning rotation, ranging from 21 seeds m
−2
in the annual winter burn to 757 seeds m
−2
in the five-year burn. High predation of seeds (70-98%) and low viability (37% in 15-month-old seeds) contributed to the poor representation of T. triandra
in the seed bank (<1.2%) when compared to the above-ground vegetation (<29.2%). These attributes, together with its poor dispersal (<1.75 m), indicate that seed dynamics of T. triandra will play a limited role in the restoration of grasslands in degraded areas.