Chemical composition and <i>in vitro</i> ruminal fermentation of selected grasses in the semiarid savannas of Swaziland

Tefera, Solomon; Mlambo, Victor; Dlamini, B.J.; Dlamini, A.M.; Koralagama, K. D. N.; Mould, F.L.

doi:10.2989/ajrfs.2009.26.1.2.697

Cited by 10 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Generally, these results showed a trend that macronutrient content in both grass and legumes declines with advancement in season as the lowest macronutrient levels were measured during the driest season (winter). The findings of the current study are partly in agreement with the findings of a study that was conducted by (Weisany et al[25]) who found that the nutrient concentration of grasses reached the highest level during summer (wet season), rapidly declined and reached the lowest level during the winter period (dry season [26,28]) but higher values than the report of (Beyene and Mlambo [29]). Except for Fe level, in this study, there was evidence of greater microelement levels in grasses harvested from the grass -legume mixture plots compared to the control plots.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Effect of Grass-legume Intercropping on Dry Matter Yield and Nutritive Value of Pastures in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Gulwa¹,

Mgujulwa²,

Beyene³

2017

ujar

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The Eastern Cape Province, South Africa is faced with inadequate quantity of livestock feed especially during the drier (winter) seasons. Forage legumes were over sown into natural grasses to determine their potential to improve feed quality and quantity. Four forage legumes namely: Trifolium vesiculosum (Arrowleaf clover), Lespedeza cuneata (sericea lespedeza) , Trifolium repens (white clover) and Lotus corniculatus (birdsfoot trefoil) were intercropped with native grasses in the old arable land located in Lushington communal area in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The treatments consisted of natural grasses growing in pure stands and native grasses intercropped with forage legumes grown under rain-fed conditions. Grasses and legumes were harvested for dry matter yield (DMY) once in spring 2013 (September-November), summer 2014 (December-February), autumn 2014 (March-May) and winter 2014 (June-August). Amongst the legumes, L. cuneata was more (P<0.05) productive than rest of the legumes. However, T. vesiculosum was the least (P<0.05) productive legume during the four seasons. Total dry matter (TDM) yield was higher (P<0.05) during summer and lower during winter seasons, respectively. Grasses harvested in autumn had the highest (P<0.05) 12% crude protein (CP) than those harvested in winter which, had the lowest 4.6% CP content. Similarly, all legume pastures harvested in spring had superior (p<0.05) 10.8% CP, while those harvested in winter had the least 3.5% CP. Likewise, forages harvested during the wet seasons (i.e. autumn and or summer) had improved (P<0.05) herbage micro nutrient content than those harvested in the drier (winter) season. Results of the study indicated that overall total dry matter yield of grass-legume mixtures was higher than that of sole natural grasses, with grasses constituting the major component of the herbage yield. Results from this study also indicated that forages produced in wetter seasons had superior biomass yield and nutritive value, respectively.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Effect of Grass-legume Intercropping on Dry Matter Yield and Nutritive Value of Pastures in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Gulwa¹,

Mgujulwa²,

Beyene³

2017

ujar

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“…Both DM yield and estimated G.C reported in this study were extremely low compared with the study of Tefera et al . () in Swaziland, but similar to the report of Abule, Snyman & Smit () in Ethiopian semi‐arid rangelands. Based on an inference from the long‐term average rainfall of the study area (500 mm), which was also recorded during the study period, the mean DM yield, and hence G.C was extremely too low to carry the potential number of animals that this area should support.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

Rangeland degradation in Swaziland: Dip tank use effects on range condition and grazing capacity in three soil types

Beyene

2014

Afr. J. Ecol.

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This study examined rangeland condition and degradation characteristics of the semi-arid savannahs of Swaziland in response to distance from dip-tank points in three soil types. Eight dip-tanks, three each in sandy and loamy, and two in stony soils, were selected. Two transects (1 km) radiating from each dip-tank were established. Total herbaceous yield (range: 176-363.8 kg DM ha À1 ) and grazing capacity (47.5-111.5 ha LSU À1 ) were very low throughout the studied areas. Palatability and ecological values of grasses were 18.7-67.6% and 43.2-64.1%, respectively. Most sites were dominated by woody seedlings and saplings (<0-2 m). Most vegetation variables did not respond considerably to distance, soil types and sites within soil types. When all measured variables were combined, the results showed a generally poor range condition scores across distance points from the dip-tank. A holistic restoration programme with full involvement of communal farmers, experts, policy makers and extension workers is recommended.

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“…However, our short‐term study indicates that grazing seems not to be an exceptional event. During our observations, the grass layer was already senescent, indicating very low digestible protein/energy content (Tefera et al ., ; Safari et al ., ). In contrast, some of the giraffes’ preferred browse species reach their maximum protein content during this time (Sauer, ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Grazing behaviour of the giraffe in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe

Seeber

Ndlovu

Duncan

et al. 2012

African Journal of Ecology

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Chemical composition and in vitro ruminal fermentation of selected grasses in the semiarid savannas of Swaziland

Cited by 10 publications

References 14 publications

Effect of Grass-legume Intercropping on Dry Matter Yield and Nutritive Value of Pastures in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Effect of Grass-legume Intercropping on Dry Matter Yield and Nutritive Value of Pastures in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Rangeland degradation in Swaziland: Dip tank use effects on range condition and grazing capacity in three soil types

Grazing behaviour of the giraffe in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe

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