ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Seasonal quality profile and production of foliage from trees grown on degraded cropland in arid Uzbekistan, Central Asia

Abstract

Feed shortages hamper livestock rearing and thus impede the development of rural livelihoods in Central Asia. The production and in vitro quality of foliage from Ulmus pumila, Elaeagnus angustifolia and Populus euphratica on degraded cropland were examined to determine the potential of these species to supplement diary cattle diets. Leaf dry matter (DM) production of the species, respectively, averaged 6, 8 and 17 t DM/ha, 4 years after planting. Over seasons and years, crude protein concentrations (g/kg DM) ranged within 151-257 for E. angustifolia, 70-241 for U. pumila and 92-187 for P. euphratica. The metabolizable energy concentrations (MJ/kg DM) were the highest in U. pumila and ranged within 9-10, followed by 7-10 of E. angustifolia and 7-9 of P. euphratica. The organic matter digestibility (%) ranged within 58-70, 54-66, and 51-66, respectively, for these species. These indicators combined denoted a medium-to-good feed quality of E. angustifolia and U. pumila leaves as a cheap protein supplement to roughages. The foliage of P. euphratica was the least suitable. The seasonal profile of in vitro indicators revealed the highest feed quality in spring but early fall seems most appropriate for forage collection given the peak leaf production and an adequate quality.

Effects of species and season on chemical composition and ruminal crude protein and organic matter degradability of some multi‐purpose tree species by West African dwarf rams

“…Its CP content is however, above the threshold of 60 g/kg DM required by the microbes in the rumen to support metabolic functions of their host (Van Soest, 1994). The CP content across seasons for all MPTS investigated was adequate to support meat and milk production of ruminant animals (Lamers and Khamzina, 2010). They may therefore serve as ready source of year‐round cheap protein supplements for herds of resource‐poor farmers in Sub‐Saharan Africa and thereby help to improve the quality of feed and at the same time reduce the cost of production.…”

Forage Offer and Nutritive Value of Elaeagnus angustifolia in North Patagonia, Argentina

“…Lamers and Khamzina [23] studied the quality profile and production of foliage from trees grown on degraded croplands of Central Asia and found that the leaves of E. angustifolia could be used to supplement protein poor feed rations on dairy cows. The values of feed analysis that they obtained were like authors', considering that they worked on young (4 years old) trees that have not yet begun the reproductive face [6].…”

Chlorophyll meters for monitoring foliar nitrogen in three tree species from arid Central Asia

“…Also, because of the notorious shortage in feed supply, which presently causes poor livestock productivity in Uzbekistan (Djumaeva et al, 2009), raising cattle under these conditions needs better feed diets. With high foliar crude protein (CP) contents and a nutritive value of tree leaves that is somewhat comparable to alfalfa, a common feed in the region (Lamers and Khamzina, 2010), tree leaves can complement and improve the presently low-quality diet of livestock. The SPAD-502 can be used to monitor leaf CP content during the growing season, since the N content of CP, one of the major feed quality indicators, is 16% (Close and Menke, 1986).…”