Abstract
The infestation of Pteridium aquilinum (bracken) is a serious problem for pasture management in southwestern Japan, with clear cutting being the most common method to control Pteridium plants in pastures. We conducted field experiments to examine the effect of cutting frequency on vegetation change and Pteridium control in the ZoysiaPteridium type pasture. Under a non-cutting or an annual cutting (July) condition, Pteridium-dominant vegetation continued and the succession of Zoysia-type grassland would be delayed because of the high persistent selfrenewal of Pteridium stands. On the other hand in a pasture that had been clear-cut three times per year (May, July, and September), there was a tendency toward the rapid reduction of Pteridium stands which contributed to a rapid shift toward Zoysia-dominant vegetation. In the initial phase of the establishment of Zoysia-type pasture, intensive cutting treatment is needed for the rapid succession of Zoysia-dominant stands.
