Fromoureditor
to Issue 2 of Grassroots
W elcome
for 2019! low the pasture to use the mineralised
nitrogen.
In this full edition, we start with a fea-
ture article by Everson et al., where we
are introduced to some new research
on bamboo in South Africa. Bamboo
has the potential to reduce deforesta-
tion of South Africa’s natural forest by
providing a source of fuelwood and
building material. The water-use of
this plant is not well understood under
South African conditions and this DWS
and WRC funded study aims to under-
stand the effects of different bamboo
species on water-use. Finally, Costas Zachariades, from the
PHP-ARC announces the introduction
of the Tradescantia tip beetle into
South Africa. This beetle has been
bred as a biocontrol for Tradescan-
tia fluminensis (Wandering Jew), an
invasive alien plant that is affecting
the recruitment of forest trees in the
higher rainfall areas of SA.
In our second feature article, Charné
Viljoen presents recent research on
nitrogen application rates on planted
pastures. This study illustrated that,
under current management practices,
there is a major pool of leachable
nitrate and suggests lower application
rates for kikuyu pastures and kikuyu
pastures over-sown with ryegrass com-
pared to the conventional guidelines.
Lower nitrogen
rates will allow
volunteer
legumes
to fix ni-
trogen
as
well
as
al-
Our news articles, as usual, cover a
variety of topics, ranging from the use
of technology in conservation, long-
term monitoring of vegetation and
floating solar panels to invasive alien
plants and conservationists who share
similar views.
In the previous issue, we introduced a
photographic competition to get an
idea of the interesting experiences
and opportunities our readers have
had in the field. Thank you to all who
have supported this idea and all those
who continue to support. The qual-
ity of your photos made judging a
challenge. The winner for this issue’s
cover photo is Greg Martindale with
his great photo of research in action –
Congratulations!
We have also published the runners-
up from each category in this issue for
you to enjoy. Please keep submitting
your pictures: your photo could be on
the cover of the next issue of Grass-
roots.
A reminder that our GSSA Congress
is now just around the corner. Please
remember to register as soon as pos-
sible!
This year’s congress will be held
in Upington from 1 - 4 July and
we look forward to seeing you
there. More information on the
congress is found in this issue.
Editorial Committee
Editor
Janet Taylor
Sub-Editors
Malissa Murphy
Christiaan Harmse
Layout and Design
J.C. Aucamp
Administration
Erica Joubert
Contact us
If you have any feedback,
comments, or suggestions,
feel free to contact us at:
[email protected]
Cover Photo
Greg Martindale
Plant diversity assessment,
Fort Nottingham Nature
Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal.
Grassroots photo competition
winner, May 2019.
@GrasslandSociety-
ofSouthernAfrica
Until next time, happy read-
ing!
Janet
Grassroots
Vol 19
No 2
May 2019
02