STUDY OF EFFECTIVENESS OF TWO WEED MANAGEMENT METHODS ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF INDIGENOUS TIMBER SPECIES IN THE GRASS INFESTED WET ZONE LANDS

Abstract

TIll' ctlcctivcncxs 01 two mauual weed control methods were studied lor the establishment01 lour umber species ill a gr:lss infested wet ZOIlC land, One method was the standard\I'l'l'dill,!! practice used lor planuuion establishment by Forest Dcpanmcnt. (Low slashing.md strip wccding :\ rimes during the I" year. 2 times during the 2"d year and one lowsl:l.shill,!! .uul P:ltL:i1weeding during the third year). The other is high intensity (luxury)\Vel'dillg involving complete cultivation 01 the topsoil. Fourteen months observations andsurvival and height measurements were recorded.

I{l'sulls indic.uc Ihal three species. AU(J('(/IPIiS uobilis, AUO{,(IIPIIS hctcroplivllus andF/li('/1I1I1 IIn/I)/cIlS luilcd to xucccssfully establish and ,!!row under hoth weeding methods.(lthn SllL'l'ics, l>/I!IC'Ulmll!II.I :('r/IIII/(,II.I although established showed poor growth andviuour. The sli,!!hl improvement of survival and growth under luxury weeding docs notjllslily 11lL' l'osl involved,