SUMMARYWheat was planted at different altitudes in the Ethiopian highlands. Increased altitude led to a lower neutral detergent fibre (NDF) content and a higher in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) of the leaf blades, leaf sheaths and stems. The varieties tested did not differ in NDF content, however, because of the improved NDF digestibility of all three straw fractions. The semi-dwarf varieties had a higher IVOMD than the standard tall wheats. The local durum wheat variety showed a much higher sodium content and a more favourable Na:K ratio. Undersowing with an equal mixture of Trifolium ruepellianum (Fres.) and Trifolium steudneri (Schwf.) led to a small reduction in straw yield but increased the crude protein content of the crop residues from 2.3 to 7.1% and the IVOMD from 44 to 51% as compared to the sole wheat stand.
A BS T R A C TThe relationship between phenolics and parameters of in-vitro digestibility of neutral-detergent fibre (NDF) in leaves and stems from the crop residue of bird resistant ( B R ) and non-bird resistant (NBR) sorghum varieties was determined. The phenolics studied were lignin, insoluble proanthocyanidins, soluble red pigments and soluble phenolics as measured by absorbance (280 nm) and precipitation with ytterbium. Parameters of the digestibility of NDF studied were 48-h digestibility, potentially digestible NDF, rate of digestion and indigestible N D F as determined by non-linear regression analysis. Leaves from BR varieties were higher in most phenolics thun leaves from N B R varieties. Digestibility of NDF at 48 h, potentially digestible N D F and rate of N D F digestion was lower in leaves from B R varieties. The indigestible N D F was higher in B R varieties. Phenolics in leaves were negatively correlated with digestibility of NDF at 48 h, potentially digestible N D F and rate of N D F digestion and positively correlated with indigestible NDF. Phenolics in stems had non-significant correlations with parameters of the digestibility of N D F except for a positive correlation between lignin and indigestible NDF. These results indicate that breeding for bird resistance in sorghum would lead to lower nutritive value of the crop residue.
In the Ethiopian highlands, where integrated crop and livestock production takes place, the inadequate supply, in both quantity and quality, of feeds during the year is a major constraint. Native pastures and crop residues are the major feed sources, but their quality is often poor. Integration of forage legumes in the cropping system is one alternative to improve the fodder quality. Results of field work conducted over two seasons in order to assess and evaluate the potential yields of crops, crop/forage combinations and rotation systems on a Vertisol under two seed bed preparation systems showed that intercropping wheat with clover or sequential cropping of an oat/vetch mixture followed by chickpea provided high‐quality fodder; the effect was greater under fertilized conditions. In addition, where monocropping treatment was tested, legume–cereal rotation resulted in higher grain and fodder yield when compared to cereal–cereal rotation. The study also showed that two short‐duration crops could be produced in sequence per year. It is therefore suggested that the Vertisols in the Ethiopian highlands could provide a good opportunity for longer period cropping using improved food and forage crops, thereby improving the availability and quality of animal feed and protecting the land against erosion.
Poor drainage of Vertisols in the Ethiopian mid-altitude highlands limits farming operations and cropping in the early rainy season (July-August). Traditional crops are grown on residual moisture late in the season (September-January) when waterlogging is less of a problem. Productivity is therefore below its potential. The recent introduction of a broadbed and furrow system for improved drainage on Vertisols allows full use of the growing period and provides scope for a wider variety of cropping systems and increased productivity. Trials using a sequential cropping system demonstrated that two crops a year can be grown when Vertisols are drained. The crops used in the trial were oats or an oat/vetch mixture forage in the early season followed by grasspea or chickpea food crops in the late season as the second crop. Further on-farm research on sequential cropping of forages and food crops in the mid-altitude highlands of Ethiopia is now needed. Cullivo secuencial en Etiopia RESUMENEl escaso drenaje de Vertisols en las tierras altas de mediana altitud en Etiopia limita las operaciones de siembra y cultivo en la estacion temprana de lluvias (julio-agosto). Los cultivos tradicionales se practican mas tarde (setiembre-enero) utilizando la humedad residual, cuando el terreno anegado ya no resulta un problema. Como consecuencia, la productividad esta por debajo de su potencial. La reciente introduction de un sistema de surcos y canteros amplios para mejorar el drenaje de los Vertisols permite utilizar por completo el perfodo de crecimiento, y ofrece las posibilidad de emplear una mayor variedad de sistemas de cultivo, y de incrementar la productividad. Los ensayos con sistema de cultivo secuencial demostraron que se pueden cultivar dos cosechas al ano, si los Vertisols cuentan con buen drenaje. Los cultivos utilizados en el ensayo fueron forraje de avena o mezcla de avena/algarroba en la estacion temprana de lluvias, seguido de cultivos de Latchyrussativus o garbanzo para consumo alimentario como segundo cultivo en la estacion tardfa. Ahora se necesita llevar a cabo estudios adicionales en fincas, con relation a la siembra secuencial de cultivos de forrajes y alimentos en la tierras altas de mediana altitud en Etiopia.
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