Managing fodder trees as a solution to human–livestock food conflicts and their contribution to income generation for smallholder farmers in southern Africa

Chakeredza, Sebastian; Hove, L.; Akinnifesi, Festus K.; Franzel, Steven; Ajayi, Oluyede C.; Sileshi, Gudeta W.

doi:10.1111/j.1477-8947.2007.00160.x

Cited by 45 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…Probably due to these characteristics, it is highly selected and consumed by herbivores and could be an alternative food resource in the Argentine mountains, especially in winter when forage grasses become less available (Rao et al 2003;Chakeredza et al 2007;Pucheta et al 1998). Our data imply that P. australis could be a valuable alternative forage resource under conditions of moderate livestock pressure, but only in areas where tall reproductive trees are still present.…”

Section: Management Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 72%

Do Polylepis australis trees tolerate herbivory? Seasonal patterns of shoot growth and its consumption by livestock

et al. 2009

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Browsing is one of the main factors determining survival, growth rate, woodland structure, and distribution of the high mountain tree Polylepis australis. This species has a substantial regrowth capacity, which may function as a mechanism to tolerate herbivory, but it is unknown to what extent it may compensate for the impact of herbivory. In 15 low-density tree stands subject to exclusion, moderate, and heavy livestock pressure, we selected 12 P. australis individuals\2 m tall, tagged four new shoots per tree and measured shoot length every month during a year. At the stand and at the tree level, we analyzed monthly dynamics of growth and browsing, and the annual output in terms of total browsing and total gross and net growth (not discounting and discounting consumption, respectively). In addition, we assessed the influence of stand, tree and microsite characteristics on growth and browsing patterns. Polylepis australis fully compensated for herbivory in terms of shoot gross growth at moderate, but not at heavy livestock pressure. In terms of net growth, this species did not fully compensate for herbivory at any stocking rate. We found a strong coupling between browsing and growth along the year, suggesting that regrowth attracts browsing, and browsing promotes regrowth. At the stand level, annual gross growth was not affected by habitat characteristics, while at the tree level, annual gross growth decreased on more rocky microsites for browsed but not for unbrowsed trees. We concluded that stocking densities should be limited to allow for a reasonable annual net growth, as its nitrogen rich leaves are a valuable food resource and P. australis forests provide important ecosystem services.

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Section: Management Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 72%

Do Polylepis australis trees tolerate herbivory? Seasonal patterns of shoot growth and its consumption by livestock

et al. 2009

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“…Fodder tree and shrub are increasingly recognized as an important component of animal feeding; especially as available supplies of protein in many parts of world. Different scholars (Chakeredza et al, 2007;Abebe et al, *Corresponding author. E-mail: aynalem.gochera@amu.edu.et.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Woody fodder species in three agro-ecological Parklands of Arba Minch Zuria Woreda, Gamo Gofa Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Gochera¹,

Shibru²,

Kechero³

2020

Int. J. Biodivers. Conserv.

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This study was conducted in Arba Minch Zuria Woreda of SNNPR, Ethiopia on Parkland agroforestry practices in three agro-ecological zones. The objective of the study was to investigate the fodder tree and shrub species composition, richness, diversity and structure. Key Informant Interviews and Focus Group Discussions were held. In total, ninety 50 m × 20 m plots were laid and standard procedures were followed. Forty nine woody species belonging to 43 genera and 31 families were identified as fodder species. Fabaceae represented by 7 species and Combertaceae and Moraceae (3 species each) were the most diverse families. Mid altitude (H'=2.98) is more diverse followed by High altitude (H'=2.23) and Low altitude agro-ecology (H'=1.94). Species in the low altitude were densely populated and have large basal area followed by mid altitude and high altitude. The top most important species with highest Importance Value Index (IVI) were Ficus sur (51.90), Ficus sycomorus (46.484) and Mangifera indica (60.161) High altitude, middle altitude and lower altitude, respectively. Generally, in the study area, there were diverse fodder trees and shrubs, all likely sources for farmers to feed livestock. So, there should be strong management and conservation practices to ensure future availability, continuous awareness raising efforts, and further study should be conducted for nutritional evaluation.

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“…However, feed shortages and the poor quality of forage in the dry season are major production constraints in the smallholder livestock sector. Climate change, and economic and anthropogenic factors put pressure on conventional feeds to remain unaffordable; hence smallholder farmers are seeking affordable alternatives (Chakeredza et al, 2007). Pasture and fodder remain the cheapest forms of animal feed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Productivity, chemical composition and ruminal degradability of irrigated Napier grass leaves harvested at three stages of maturity

Rambau¹,

Fushai²,

Baloyi³

2016

SA J. An. Sci.

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The effect of the stage of maturity on the productivity, chemical composition, and ruminal degradability of Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) leaves under irrigation was studied. Samples were collected at three stages of maturity, at intervals of four weeks starting from the fourth week until the twelfth week (AprilJuly) after sprouting and then harvested to determine biomass. The stages of maturity had significant effects on longest leaf length per plant and plant height, but had no effect on number of leaves per plant and number of tillers. Dry matter (DM) increased significantly with maturity, while crude protein (CP) and fat content decreased significantly, with no significant effect on acid detergent lignin (ADL), ash, acid detergent fibre (ADF) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF). Maturity significantly decreased potassium, copper and sodium, while calcium and zinc increased significantly up to the intermediate stage, then declined toward the late stage of maturity. Maturity did not affect the magnesium, phosphorus, manganese and iron contents of the forage. Ruminal degradability of CP at 48, 72, 96 and 120 incubation hour decreased significantly with maturity, with no effect on all other incubation times for DM and CP. Maturity significantly decreased the soluble fraction (a) of DM, with no significant effect on other fractions of DM and CP. Effective degradability (%) of DM and CP decreased with maturity when the rate of passage increased from 2% to 8%. Napier forage should be harvested before maturity to retain its high nutrient content, and the degradability of DM and CP. ______________________________________________________________________________________

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Managing fodder trees as a solution to human–livestock food conflicts and their contribution to income generation for smallholder farmers in southern Africa

Cited by 45 publications

References 24 publications

Do Polylepis australis trees tolerate herbivory? Seasonal patterns of shoot growth and its consumption by livestock

Do Polylepis australis trees tolerate herbivory? Seasonal patterns of shoot growth and its consumption by livestock

Woody fodder species in three agro-ecological Parklands of Arba Minch Zuria Woreda, Gamo Gofa Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Productivity, chemical composition and ruminal degradability of irrigated Napier grass leaves harvested at three stages of maturity

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