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THE EFFECT OF THE BIPYRIDYL HERBICIDES ON HILL COMMUNITIES AND THEIR ROLE IN THE IMPROVEMENT OF HILL GRAZING
Author(s) -
Douglas G.,
Lewis C. J.,
McIlvenny H. C.
Publication year - 1965
Publication title -
grass and forage science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.716
H-Index - 56
eISSN - 1365-2494
pISSN - 0142-5242
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2494.1965.tb00398.x
Subject(s) - diquat , grazing , agronomy , pasture , acre , festuca , paraquat , agroforestry , environmental science , biology , ecology , biochemistry , poaceae
The improvement of hill land is important to the national economy of the United Kingdom. An increase in the amount of enclosed productive land results in a greater stock‐carrying capacity of a hill farm. Improvement is not always possible by conventional implements, and herbicides are being used to kill the old sward. The bipyridyl herbicides offer a means of destroying or modifying the indigenous vegetation. The application of low doses of paraquat or diquat to an association containing Molinia caerulea, Nardus sfricta and Festuca avina resulted in a change in equilibrium in favour of the fescues. The application of 2 lb paraquat per acre practically eliminates all grass species in a sward and it is then possible to establish desirable pasture species after lightly cultivating the dead surface litter.