The effect of burning and seasonal rainfall on native pasture at Katherine, N.T

Abstract

An 11-year experiment at Katherine, N.T., on the effects of time and frequency of burning on the yield and composition of native pasture on Tippera clay loam is described. In comparison with plots burned biennially in January, April, or September, the annual dry matter and nitrogen production of control plots after 5-10 years of protection from fire was low. On the other hand, production in the first five years after burning of plots that had been protected for five years and then burned was high. Under conditions favouring the accumulation of dead material, a burn every five years or so appears to be more favourable than annual or biennial burning or no burning at all. The contribution of Themeda australis and Chrysopogon fallax to total dry matter yield was negatively related to total rainfall in the two preceding seasons, and that of Sorghum plumosum positively related.