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Testing the effectiveness of alternatives to paraquat for the preparation of tracer belts in plantations, on farms and in the ecotourism industry in Swaziland
Dissertation (MSc (Forest Management and the Environment))--University of Pretoria, 2018.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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2026
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| _version_ | 1867613647685025792 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author2 | Reinhardt, Carl Frederick (Charlie) |
| author_browse | Reinhardt, Carl Frederick (Charlie) |
| author_facet | Reinhardt, Carl Frederick (Charlie) |
| collection | Thesis |
| description | Dissertation (MSc (Forest Management and the Environment))--University of Pretoria, 2018. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/110046 |
| institution | University of Pretoria (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:39:28.478Z |
| license_str | Not specified — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| publishDateRange | 2026 |
| publishDateSort | 2026 |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| spelling | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/110046 Testing the effectiveness of alternatives to paraquat for the preparation of tracer belts in plantations, on farms and in the ecotourism industry in Swaziland Reinhardt, Carl Frederick (Charlie) beedlamini@yahoo.co.uk Chirwa, Paxie W. Dlamini, Mfanzile Bee chemicals environmental impact vegetation management Dissertation (MSc (Forest Management and the Environment))--University of Pretoria, 2018. The use of paraquat dichloride (Paraquat) has been deliberated and questioned for many years in international and national regulatory agencies. These include the Rain Forest Alliance, Fairtrade, Forest Stewardship Council, and various scientific forums. Paraquat has been prohibited in many countries because of its toxicity to human beings and the absence of an antidote. Worth noting is that, in the past, Paraquat was used extensively because it was considered the most effective and environmentally friendly chemical for preparing tracer belts. Presently though, due to concerns raised by the regulatory agencies, plantations, farm owners and the ecotourism industry have resorted to a variety of alternative chemicals. Unfortunately, several of these alternatives have a degree of environmental impact that makes them undesirable as replacements for Paraquat. This study, therefore, tested various vegetation management methods for their suitability as alternatives to Paraquat. Eight tracer belt preparation methods were tested in grass firebreaks at three sites in Swaziland. Treatments included Roundup Turbo at 70% and 100% concentration; Basta at 50%, 75% and 100% concentration; Callisto at 70% and 100% concentration; as well as grazing and mowing. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Four environmental indicators were observed to assess treatment suitability for the preparation of tracer belts. Vegetation desiccation was observed at two weeks after the application of treatments. Ground cover, tuft distance and fuel load were observed at 4, 8 and 12 months after the application of the treatments. Two weeks after the application of treatments, there were significant differences (p < 0.05) in desiccated vegetation. The Callisto treatments and grazing could not prepare effective tracer belts. In addition, the results showed that the rates of 70% and 100% Roundup Turbo, 75% and 100% Basta significantly affected vegetation recovery where ground cover, tuft distance and fuel load is concerned. The rate of 50% Basta and mowing did not show any significant impact on vegetation recovery. The study concluded that mowing should be used as an alternative to Paraquat for the preparation of tracer belts which can be alternated with 50% Basta in rocky and steep terrain. It is illegal to use herbicides at application rates that exceeds, or are less than, the recommended rates appearing on the product label. Therefore, the 50% Basta application rate must first be registered before it can be used for the purpose envisaged in this study. Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology MSc (Forest Management and the Environment) 2026-05-15T17:26:09Z 2026-05-15T17:26:09Z 18/02/11 2018 Dissertation http://hdl.handle.net/2263/110046 en application/pdf |
| spellingShingle | chemicals environmental impact vegetation management Testing the effectiveness of alternatives to paraquat for the preparation of tracer belts in plantations, on farms and in the ecotourism industry in Swaziland |
| title | Testing the effectiveness of alternatives to paraquat for the preparation of tracer belts in plantations, on farms and in the ecotourism industry in Swaziland |
| title_full | Testing the effectiveness of alternatives to paraquat for the preparation of tracer belts in plantations, on farms and in the ecotourism industry in Swaziland |
| title_fullStr | Testing the effectiveness of alternatives to paraquat for the preparation of tracer belts in plantations, on farms and in the ecotourism industry in Swaziland |
| title_full_unstemmed | Testing the effectiveness of alternatives to paraquat for the preparation of tracer belts in plantations, on farms and in the ecotourism industry in Swaziland |
| title_short | Testing the effectiveness of alternatives to paraquat for the preparation of tracer belts in plantations, on farms and in the ecotourism industry in Swaziland |
| title_sort | testing the effectiveness of alternatives to paraquat for the preparation of tracer belts in plantations on farms and in the ecotourism industry in swaziland |
| topic | chemicals environmental impact vegetation management |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/2263/110046 |