Weed control by grazing sheep in urban park

• Published in: Bulletin of Osaka Prefectural Agricultural and Forestry Research Center (Japan) no. 39
• Main Authors: Matsushita, Y. (Osaka-fu. Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences Research Center, Habikino (Japan)), Mori, T, Izumo, A, Ishizuka, Y, Yamada, M, Matsuzaki, Y, Kameyama, H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: 01.03.2003
• Subjects: PUBLIC PARKS; SHEEP; WEED CONTROL
• ISSN: 0919-5017

Summary Changes of weed height and coverage in the period of grazing two corriedale sheep were surveyed in the grassland of Osaka Prefectural Oizumi Ryokuchi Park and tbe effects of weed control by grazing sheep were estimated. In the period of grazing from June to August for the first experiment, al1 kinds of weeds in 13 families, 28 species were fed by the sheep. The height of these weeds had become about 15 cm tall as the result of grazing. In the first half of period from August to October for the second experiment, almost all kinds of weeds in 12 families, 24 species were fed by the sheep and the height of these weeds had become also 15-20 cm tall. But the sheep did not like culms and ears of grass weeds very much, so grass weeds had more height than other species at the end of grazing. However, the scenery of the grazing area was beautiful. It was estimated that weeds of 2.4-3.0 kg wet weight per day was fed by a sheep for 85 days. From the results of these experiments, it was judged that grazing sheep in grasslands of urban park was effective for weed control.