Botanical and mineral composition of dominant wild forages for feeding of dairy goats in Payakumbuh Region

Abstract

The objectives of this study were (i) to identify the diversity of forages that are usually consumed or fed to the dairy goats, (ii) to assess the mineral composition of dominant forages concerning the soil mineral status of growing areas. Eight dairy goat farms surveyed and collected forage samples to define the diversity and dominant forages used to feed the goat. Samples of three dominant forages (Asystasia gangetica, Axonopus compressus, and Panicum maximum) and soils were then collected in five different areas where the farmers usually derived the forages (banana plantation, idle lands, riverbanks, roadside, and rice field edge). Plant samples were collected by using a plate meter used for the calculation of botanical composition. Fresh samples were then chopped, dried, and then ground in meal form before analysis for dry matter (DM), and minerals of Ca, P, Mg, K, Na, and S. The same minerals were analyzed for soil samples. Data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) in a completely randomized design of 5x3 consisting of 3 plant species and five growing areas as replications. Data were statistically analyzed using correlation and variance analysis in Random Block Design (RBD). Results showed of the total about 45 types of plants commonly consumed by goats, there were three dominant species, i.e., P. maximum (38.60%), A. gangetica (24.23%), and A. compressus (17.23%). The Ca content of forages highly correlated with the Ca in the soils, while magnesium in the forage was negatively correlated with the magnesium in the soil. It was concluded that the dominant forages were found a good source of Ca and Mg but deficient phosphorus.