CHANGE IN PERCENTAGE GROUND COVER OF PERENNIAL GRASSES UNDER DIFFERENT BURNING REGIMES

Differences in the ground and perennial grass covers under different burning and grazing regimes are presented for three vegetation types in Kainji Lake National Park. It is shown from the results that perennial grasses established higher basal cover under late burning treatments than under early burning and no burning treatments. Late fires destroy litter which hinders grass growth while no burning treatments cause accumulation of litter. The highest number of grass tillers are produced under late burning treatments, while the lowest occurred under no burning treatments. The early burning plots have intermediate results. Occasional late burning in controlled small blocks of land is recommended for optimum grass production in the study area. © 1979 Dr. W. Junk b.v. - Publishers.