The Nutritive Value of Herbage in Semi-Arid Lands of East Africa

Karue, C. N.

doi:10.1080/00128325.1974.11662717

Cited by 27 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…The rapid growth rates result in marked variations in the chemical composition of the selected diets (Mbui and Stuth 1986, Mnene and Stuth 1986, Tessema 1986). Our chemical composition data were discordant with those of similar previous studies (Karue 1974, Ekaya 1991, where dry season diets were of inferior quality to those of the growing season for both livestock species. This anomaly could be attributed to the above-normal short rains received during the study period, extending into January, which is normally a dry month.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 76%

“…For instance, the high dependence of sheep on grasses and goats on browse irrespective of seasons poses a serious constraint in the dry seasons when forage quality and quantity is extremely low. Goats are, however, better off during the dry season since they depend on browse species, which have fairly high CP and cell wall contents, and exhibit a slower rate of quality deterioration with advancing maturity than grass species (Karue 1974, Ekaya 1991. The slightly higher quality of the sheep diets than goat diets during the last two months of the wet season in this study were mainly attributed to high availability of young grasses and forbs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Seasonal botanical and chemical composition of sheep and goat diets on a common range in eastern Africa

Ngugi¹,

Ndung'u²,

Nyariki³

et al. 2004

African Journal of Range & Forage Science

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The botanical and chemical composition, intake and digestibility of local sheep (Ovis aries) and goat (Capra hirtus) diets were evaluated over the wet (growing) and dry (dormant) seasons. Diet botanical composition was related to the vegetation composition on the range. Commiphora riperia and Acacia tortilis were the most dominant tree species, while Duosperma kilimandscharicum and Premna hildebrandtii were the most dominant shrub species. Enteropogon macrostachyus, Cenchrus ciliaris and Chloris roxburghiana were the most abundant grass species, while Brepharis integriifolia, Commelina benghalensis and Macrotylomma axillare were the most dominant forb species. Grasses increased towards the end of the wet season and the beginning of the dry season, while the forbs decreased. Eragrostis caespitosa, Cenchrus ciliaris, Eragrostis superba, Enteropogon macrostachyus and Themeda triandra were the most dominant grass species in sheep diets during both seasons, accounting for over 82% of the diet. Acalypha fruticosa, Grewia similis and G. bicolor were the most important browse species in goat diets in both seasons, while Eragrostis caespitosa and E. superba were the most common grass species during both seasons. Overall, goat diets comprised 81% browse, 17% grass and 2% forbs during the wet season; and 82% browse, 15% grass and 3% forbs during the dry season. Whilst the goat diets had higher (P < 0.05) Crude Protein (CP) content than sheep diets during both seasons, the sheep diets were lower in lignin content than goat diets during the wet season. Overall, the goat diets were lower in Neutral Detergent Fibre (NDF) and Acid Detergent Fibre (ADF) than sheep diets during both seasons. There was no difference (P < 0.05) in digestibility between the two animal species. However, it was higher (P < 0.05) during the dry than the wet season. Although sheep and goats are commonly herded together in east African rangelands, they have differing abilities to utilise forages. These differences must be taken into consideration in grazing management decisions, and selected grazing areas should be able to cater for the forage requirements of both species. stock species from the different range vegetation types during different seasons, are not adequate to provide a basis for sound grazing management of Kenya's rangelands. The objective of this study was, thus, to determine seasonal botanical and chemical composition, intake and digestibility of sheep and goat diets on a common range in southeastern Kenya.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 76%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonal botanical and chemical composition of sheep and goat diets on a common range in eastern Africa

Ngugi¹,

Ndung'u²,

Nyariki³

et al. 2004

African Journal of Range & Forage Science

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“…Young green grass is generally of higher nutritive value than older brown material (Plowes, 1957;Karue, 1975), and in this respect grass greenness ( Fig. 9(c)) can be taken as an indicator of forage quality.…”

Section: Vegetation Dynamicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Population dynamics of Arvicanthis niloticus (Rodentia: Muridae) in Kenya

Delany

Monro

1986

Journal of Zoology

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The population dynamics of the Grass rat Arvicanthis niloticus were studied in relation to their diet and the climate in the Nakuru district of Kenya between September 1980 and May 1982. Numbers in the study area were low at the end of 1980 with groups of animals isolated in patches of grassy habitat. Local populations declined and some became extinct during the first half of 1981. Breeding began in April, one month after the start of the rains, but with a small initial population and high juvenile mortality, numbers did not increase significantly until September, when animals born earlier in the season were old enough to reproduce. This second generation reproduction was probably very important to the survival of the population over the following dry season when adult mortality was estimated at 15% per month. Reproduction was facilitated by a nutritious diet, consisting mainly of young grasses early in the season and seeds later on. Seed production was itself related to rainfall and as that declined towards the end of 1981, breeding ceased. Arvicanthis were considerably more numerous then than one year previously, with the difference being ascribed to the longer rainy season experienced in 1981 than 1980. The density of animals in favourable habitats increased with immigration from less suitable areas between January and March 1982, and then declined until the end of the study. Breeding resumed in April, one month after the start of the rains. Peak numbers of Arvicanthis were recorded in the middle of the dry season, when few crops were in the ground. They would only become a serious pest to agriculture if they were still abundant at the start of the breeding season some months later. Expansion then could result in very high numbers by harvest time, in August or September.

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“…During the wet season, grasses have been reported to have higher crude protein content and are highly digestible (Karue 1974, Ekaya 2001. The role of special senses in the selection of plants with anti-nutritive factors cannot be ignored (Arnold and Dudzinski 1978).…”

Section: Diet Composition Wet Season Diet Compositionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Feeding characteristics of sheep (Ovis aries) and Grant's gazelles (Gazella granti) on Kapiti ranch, Kenya

Kilonzo¹,

Ekaya²,

Kinuthia³

2005

African Journal of Range & Forage Science

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A study was conducted to determine the dietary characteristics of sheep and Grant's gazelles on Kapiti Ranch, Kenya. The botanical composition of the diet was determined using the faecal microhistological technique. Plant species in the diets were categorised into grass, forb and browse classes. Shannon-Wiener and Morisita's similarity indices were used to express dietary diversity and overlap respectively. Simulated diets, based on microhistology results, were analysed for crude protein, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, cellulose, lignin and in vitro dry matter digestibility. Sheep were predominantly grazers during both the dry and wet season while Grant's gazelles were mixed feeders, with a higher consumption of grasses during the wet season and an equal consumption of both grasses and browse during the dry season. Diets of Grant's gazelles were more diverse than those of sheep during both seasons. Degree of dietary overlap between the animal species was highest during the wet season. There were differences (P < 0.05) in dietary nutrient content between the animal species, within seasons. Dry matter digestibility was higher (P < 0.05) for both species during the wet season. Neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, lignin and cellulose were significantly higher (P < 0.05) during the dry season. Sheep diets were higher (P < 0.05) in crude protein during the wet season, whereas crude protein was higher (P < 0.05) in the Grant's gazelles diet during the dry season than in the wet season. This study indicates that sheep and Grant's gazelles are compatible in their use of vegetation on Athi Kapiti plains.

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The Nutritive Value of Herbage in Semi-Arid Lands of East Africa

Cited by 27 publications

References 5 publications

Seasonal botanical and chemical composition of sheep and goat diets on a common range in eastern Africa

Seasonal botanical and chemical composition of sheep and goat diets on a common range in eastern Africa

Population dynamics of Arvicanthis niloticus (Rodentia: Muridae) in Kenya

Feeding characteristics of sheep (Ovis aries) and Grant's gazelles (Gazella granti) on Kapiti ranch, Kenya

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