Marloth Park Management Plan. - Nkomazi Local Municipality

However, the top centimetres of the topsoil should be dry when new seed is sown. Seed is
distributed to the soil in two ways. With broadcast application the seed is spread by hand or
with a specific implement over the total soil surface. With row application the seeds are sown
in strips. They are sown either by hand or with implements such as the ripper. The seed type
should be adapted to the specific soil type, should be palatable and should have a relatively
high production potential. Palatable climax grass species occurring naturally in the area are
preferred, as these are adapted to the prevailing conditions. Including pioneer grass species
such as Aristida congesta and Chloris virgata are important, because they establish first and
prepare the habitat for the climax grasses. Incorporating grass species of low palatability
ensures that no overgrazing takes place in the reclaimed area. The correct seed mixture will
save time and money. The mixture should contain annual and perennial grass species. Seeds
of species such as three-awn Aristida congesta, blue buffalo grass Cenchrus ciliaris, feathered
chloris Chloris virgata, finger grass Digitaria eriantha, weeping love grass Eragrostis
curvula, Lehmann’s love grass Eragrostis lehmanniana, Guinea grass Panicum maximum,
couch grass Cynodon dactylon and sand quick Schmidtia pappophoroides are possible
ingredients of a good seed mixture. Aristida congesta, Cenchrus ciliaris and Eragrostis
lehmanniana and Schmidtia pappophoroides are suitable for sandy soils in low rainfall areas.
Digitaria eriantha, Panicum maximum and large-seed bristle grass Setaria incrassate prefer
soils with relatively high clay and moisture contents. Chloris virgata grows in any type of
soil. Application of 6 to 8 kg seed mixture per hectare was proven to be an efficient dosage.
To protect the newly sown seeds, the topsoil of the seedbed must be compacted by rolling or
trampling on the soil. Furthermore, seeds and new seedlings need protection against
utilisation by insects and herbivores, trampling and excessive heat. Fencing off the area offers
protection to a certain degree but is not feasible for Marloth Park. Covering the newly
reseeded soil with straw or branches (brush packing), preferably thorny branches, is a possible
means of defence. Covering the soil with sheaves of straw also serves to retain moisture.
Brush packing does not only serve to cover the respective area but also to trap seed and silt, to
prevent runoff and to create a suitable microclimate for seed germination. When covering the
respective area with branches, leaves and fine twigs of branches should be placed diagonal to
the direction of the flow of the water in order to catch the topsoil and to prevent seed from
being washed away.
The standard height recommended for brush packing is 0.5 m. Flat areas with relatively small
bare patches should be covered on the whole surface area. On steep inclines branches should
be packed every 17 m at the top of the incline and every 37 m further downhill, to reduce
water velocity. Spacing is adapted to the availability of woody material. Branch belts should
be at least 0.3 m wide and span the length of the bare patch.
© Ecological Associates/ Marloth Park 101