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Table 2 Description of the vegetation-control treatments in two under-canopy pine trials in South Africa. The trials were imposed on trees that had been maintained in a weedfree condition until the first pruning operation

From: Impacts of under-canopy vegetation on stand growth in two pine saw-timber stands, South Africa

Treatment

Method descriptiona

1. Weedfree

All vegetation in treatment plots controlled with glyphosate (N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine) (360 g a.i. L−1 applied at 4 L ha−1).

2. Weedy

No further control of vegetation, except for the slashing of perennial vegetation to facilitate access prior to the two thinning events.

3. Retention of all annual and perennial grasses and annual herbaceous broadleaves (herbaceous)

Selective control of all perennial broadleaves through spot application of triclopyr (3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinyloxyacetic acid) (480 g a.i. L−1 butoxy ethyl ester applied as a 2% solution) to the cut stumps.

4. Retention of all perennial broadleaves (woody)

Selective control of all grasses with fluazifop-P-butyl (butyl (2R)-2-[4-[5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]oxyphenoxy]propanoate) (250 g a.i. L−1 applied at 4 L ha−1).

Perennial vegetation slashed prior to the two thinning events to facilitate access.

5. Operational weed control (operational)

Perennial vegetation slashed prior any pruning or thinning event, with cut surfaces of woody vegetation treated with triclopyr (480 g a.i. L−1 butoxy ethyl ester applied as a 2% solution).

  1. aVegetation growth was monitored regularly, with treatments re-imposed annually. Following pruning and/or thinning and where vegetation growth was more vigorous, an additional weeding event was scheduled