Five subtropical perennial grass species, Cenchrus ciliaris, a Cynodon hybrid, Digitaria eriantha subsp. eriantha, Panicum maximum and Pennisetum clandestinum, were subjected to four levels of water availability in a small plot trial under a rainshelter during the summer growing seasons of 1996/97 and 1997/98. This work was carried out on the Hatfield Experimental Farm of the University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa. The average yields for the tufted species (C. ciliaris, D. eriantha and P. maximum) were lower in the 1997/98 than the 1996/97 season. C. ciliaris, however, produced the highest average yields in both seasons. The average yields of the Cynodon hybrid and P. clandestinum (creeping grasses) reacted differently, in that the average yields were higher in the 1997/98 than 1996/97 season. The dry matter yields of all five grass species at slight water deficits, were not significantly different from yields under conditions of no water shortages, when the soil profile was brought to field capacity at the beginning of the growing season. The implication hereof is, that dry matter yields can be maintained, in conditions where slight water deficits occur, if there is some water stored in the soil profile. C. ciliaris, a notable drought tolerant species, produced yields (11.7-20.0 t ha-1) under non-control conditions (W1, W2 and W3) which were comparable to yields obtained from traditionally irrigated grasses such as the Cynodon hybrid (12.0-15.8 t ha-1) and P. clandestinum (5.6-11.8 t ha-1), under control conditions (W4). P.clandestinum, D. eriantha and P. maximum tended to be better adapted to wetter conditions, while the Cynodon hybrid was also able to produce good yields under both water limiting and non-limiting conditions. Water use efficiency, regardless of the grass species, tended to be better under non-control conditions. Grasses were thus able to produce more dry matter per unit of water under conditions where water became scarce. In vitro dry matter digestibility was not negatively affected by water scarcity, while crude protein content more often than not seemed to be better under control conditions. This could be due to the uptake meganism of nutrients, in which water plays a vital role. The number of stoma per unit area was more under control than water limiting conditions. The expression of the different structures on the leaf surfaces, were not altered by the level of water availability. In the absence of water shortages, the growth rates of C. ciliaris, D. eriantha and P.maximum, were almost twice those of the Cynodon hybrid and P. clandestinum, as measured at the end of two growth cycles in an irrigated field trial. In a pot trial, under glasshouse conditions, with C. ciliaris, the Cynodon hybrid and P.clandestinum, both the level of water availability, and the level of nitrogen were varied. Regardless of species and level of nitrogen, water was still used more efficiently under non-control conditions. Higher levels of nitrogen did, however, improve water use efficiency regardless of level of water available. As with higher levels of available water, higher levels of nitrogen also improved yields. In this trial, the Cynodon hybrid and C. ciliarisalso out-yielded P. clandestinum.<,/p> In summary it can be said that C. ciliaris and the Cynodon hybrid are adapted to warm growing conditions in producing high yields regardless of the level of water available. D. eriantha, P. maximum and P. clandestinum would produce better in such growing conditions if water was not as limiting. Regardless of the species, the plants were able to use water more efficiently under non-control conditions, while in Vitro digestibility was not negatively affected by water limiting conditions. Due to the uptake mechanism of nutrients, water limiting conditions may, however, decrease the crude protein content of the grass plants. Higher levels of nitrogen had a positive impact on dry matter yields and water use efficiency. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Plant Production and Soil Science / unrestricted

<p> The Ontario shoreline of Lake Huron is one of the most populated areas, with reference to recreational purposes, in Ontario. However, with the rising water levels of the Great Lakes during 1972 and again in 1973, serious problems of beach erosion have resulted, particularly in the area of Grand Bend and Port Franks. This loss of sand has threatened cottages built on the dunes in addition to destroying breakwalls, steps, and boat launching ramps along the beach. It was with the idea of learning more about the beach, and possibly suggesting some methods of beach protection, that the research for this thesis was initiated. During the course of study, the author also became interested in the Ausable River and the associated flooding and erosion problems, with reference to past, present, and future attempts to solve or at least alleviate these difficulties. Thus, one section of the thesis is concerned with the Ausable River alone. </p> <p> The beach studied is actually the culmination of a series of raised beaches, formed during higher post-glacial lake stages. These raised beaches formed a bar separating the now non-existent Ausable Bay from Lake Huron, forming a lagoon eastward of the beach. This bar extends from Grand Bend, in a southwest direction, and culminates at Kettle Point. However, for the purposes of this thesis, that section between Grand Bend and Port Franks received the greatest amount of concentrated study. Over the years, the lagoon, formed by the growth of the bar has silted up, and is now drained for agricultural purposes. </p> <p> The modern beach was observed during the summer of 1972. This involved, profiling of a portion of the shore and offshore topography, procuring beach samples for later analysis, the use of sequential air photographs for observing changes over time, and the analysis of wind and wave data, along with many conversations with local residents and personal observations. </p> <p> The subsequent study of the above factors revealed several major conclusions regarding the beach. First, that it has good natural protection against erosion due to the abundance of sand s tored by the dunes. Second, the beach appears to be in an equilibrium state, however as lake levels fluctuate, so must the beach level, thus destroying the equilibrium for a period of time. With the lowering of the water level, the beach will become wider, exposing sand to the onshore winds, which will in turn rebuild the dunes with the blowing sand. Finally, because of the prximity of man-made structures to the beach, on the unstable dunes, some method of stabilizing the beach is necessary. That suggested is a groin system, designed and constructed by the local authorities. This would help prevent erosion and would eliminate the often vain and possibly dangerous, (to the natural environment), attempts by individuals to halt erosion. </p> <p> This is by no means a complete study of the area and its problems. Further consideration should be given to proposals which have been presented to the local conservation authority, and which were designed to alleviate some of these problems, particularly at Port Franks. The suggestions made here should also be given further thought. In addition to these practical problems, the actual growth of the original bar would provide an interesting subject for study. </p> / Thesis / Bachelor of Arts (BA)