Palatability to sheep of the Eragrostis curvula complex. 3. A comparison of naturalised and selected taxa

Johnston, WH

doi:10.1071/ea9880053

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

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“…Annual species may not have the microsite and light conditions necessary to germinate, which is supported by their lower abundance on the ALG+KG sites. In addition, ALG can restrict the movement of livestock through pasture [ 15 ] and is considered to have a low palatability, particularly when mature [ 12 , 13 ]. Livestock may therefore prefer to graze in communities with a low ALG abundance, resulting in lower grazing intensity on patches with high ALG cover [ 15 , 25 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Today, it can be found in every state and territory of Australia, but it is widespread and abundant mainly in the southern regions and parts of Queensland [9,11]. In contrast to initial expectations that ALG would improve pastures and stabilize soils, ALG turned out to have a low palatability to livestock, especially when its tissue matures [12,13]. Grazer avoidance not only enhances the abundance of ALG, but also has severe economic and social impacts in agricultural regions by reducing overall farm productivity [14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Non-Native Eragrostis curvula Impacts Diversity of Pastures in South-Eastern Australia Even When Native Themeda triandra Remains Co-Dominant

Schlierenzauer

Risch

Schütz

et al. 2021

Plants

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Lowland grassy woodlands in Australia’s south-east face reductions in native plant diversity because of invasion by non-native plants. We compared the relative abundance and diversity of plant species among sites dominated by the native Kangaroo grass (KG) Themeda triandra with sites co-dominated by the non-native African lovegrass (ALG) Eragrostis curvula and KG. We found significant differences in plant species composition depending on the dominant species. Furthermore, our results revealed differences in several diversity parameters such as a lower species richness and forb diversity on sites co-dominated by ALG and KG. This was the case despite the functional similarity of both ALG and KG—both C4 perennial tussock grasses of a similar height. Therefore, our results highlight the critical function of the native KG in maintaining and enhancing the target plant species composition and diversity within these grassy woodlands. Herbivore grazing potentially impacts on the abundance of the dominant grass and forb species in various ways, but its impact likely differs depending on their evolutionary origin. Therefore, disentangling the role of individual herbivore groups (native-, non-native mammals, and invertebrates) on the plant community composition of the lowland grassy woodlands is essential to find appropriate grazing regimes for ALG management in these ecosystems.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Non-Native Eragrostis curvula Impacts Diversity of Pastures in South-Eastern Australia Even When Native Themeda triandra Remains Co-Dominant

Schlierenzauer

Risch

Schütz

et al. 2021

Plants

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“…A number of trials have been carried out to study palatability of browses [Johnston, 1988;Rutagwenda et al, 1990]. Olson [1991] pointed out that conventional methods commonly used to assess classic forage preference (oesophageal fistula technique, stomach content analysis and faecal analysis) are not convenient for screening a wide range of browses, as they are laborious, costly and complicated.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Palatability of multipurpose tree species: effect of species and length of study on intake and relative palatability by sheep

Kaitho¹,

Umunna²,

Nsahlai³

et al. 1996

Agroforest Syst

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The potential forage value and appropriate length of study on intake and relative palatability ranking of 40 multipurpose tree species (MPTs) were determined using 24 sheep blocked on live weight and age. As the MPTs had different dry matter contents, intakes were also expressed as a ratio of quantity offered (A/D3. Using daily Eragrostis tef straw offer (TD) and intake (T), relative palatability indices were calculated as R i = (A]DI)/(Ti/TDi).There was a significant (P < 0.0001) decrease in correlation of intake measured in day 1 and subsequent days (r = 0.88, 0.81 and 0.79 for days 2-4, days 5-8 and days 9-12, respectively). A similar trend was observed on corresponding palatability indices. Individual animal preference and blocking did not affect intake and palatability indices significantly (P > 0.05), however significant (P < 0.0001) tree species differences were observed. Results on linear regression, correlation coefficients, palatability ranking and standard errors of means (adjusted palatability indices) indicate that, if palatability is done to predict long-term intake of MPTs, at least 5 days are appropriate in palatability assessment for sheep.Using mean palatability index (days 2-12), the MPTs were grouped into four clusters. The MPTs such as Leucaena leucocephala and Sesbania sesban which are known to have good nutritive value had high palatability. In the same classification group, there were less known species such as Acacia venosa, A. persiciflora, A. melanoxylon, A. hockii, A. polyacantha, Tamarindus indica, Chamaecytisus palmensis, Tipuana tipu, Indigofera arrecta and Atriplex nummularia. and Erythrina burana had poor palatability. These species seem to have little forage value for animals with short-term adaptation periods. Gliricida sepium and Calliandra calothyrsus although currently being used by farmers had a medium palatability ranking.

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Palatability to sheep of the Eragrostis curvula complex. 1. Methods of assessing palatability

Johnston¹

1988

Aust. J. Exp. Agric.

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This paper evaluates a method of judging palatability to sheep of accessions of Eragrostu curvula. Scores of from 0 (not grazed) to 10 (completely grazed) are compared with measured herbage consumption and percentage consumption values on 5 occasions at Orange and on 3 occasions in each of 2 trials at Wagga Wagga, N.S.W. Allowing for differences in initial herbage availability, regressions of score ranks pooled over all assessments of the 3 trials explained 65, 62 and 66%, respectively, of the variation in leaf, stem and total herbage consumption ranks. Most of the variation in stem consumption, however, was due its availability rather than palatability. It was concluded that palatability could meaningfully be predicted from score ranks alone. Comparison of different observers' scores allocated after several grazings showed that observers were consistent in their ranking. The results demonstrate the usefulness and merits of the different methods of assessing palatability.

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Palatability to sheep of the Eragrostis curvula complex. 3. A comparison of naturalised and selected taxa

Cited by 5 publications

References 0 publications

Non-Native Eragrostis curvula Impacts Diversity of Pastures in South-Eastern Australia Even When Native Themeda triandra Remains Co-Dominant

Non-Native Eragrostis curvula Impacts Diversity of Pastures in South-Eastern Australia Even When Native Themeda triandra Remains Co-Dominant

Palatability of multipurpose tree species: effect of species and length of study on intake and relative palatability by sheep

Palatability to sheep of the Eragrostis curvula complex. 1. Methods of assessing palatability

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