Differential Availability of Different Weed Species for Cattle Production in the Selected Derived Savannah and Rainforest Agro-ecological Zones of Nigeria

Abstract

Among the major factors that determine the success of cattle production in Nigeria is the availability of palatable weed species. Hence the need to conduct research on the availability of palatable, edible and non-edible weed species for cattle production in the selected two agro-ecological zones (Derived savannah and rainforest) of North center and Southwest in Nigeria becomes imperative. The study involved three parallel transects, each of 12.5 m x 12.5 m and ten evenly spaced different weed species sampled quadrats (1 m x1 m) were taken and replicated three times. The results showed that non-edible Hyptis suaveolens (94.2%) dominated the derived savannah and palatable Pennisetum species (36.8%) dominated the rainforest. The analysis of variance and New Duncan Multiple Range Tests (p = 0.05) revealed that there was a statistically significant (p \(\le\) 0.01) difference within the agro-ecological zones and availability of palatable, edible and non-edible weed species. However, in the derived savannah agro-ecological zone, the non-edible weed species had pronounced significant (p \(\le\) 0.01) availability, while in the rainforest agro-ecological zone, the palatable weeds had pronounced significant (p \(\le\) 0.01) availability. It could be concluded therefore, that if urgent steps are not taken, cattle will continue to move from the derived savannah (more non-edible weeds) to rainforest (more palatable weeds) and this will cause farmers-herders’ conflict. In addition, there would be more propagation of these non-edible weeds especially H. suaveolens as a result of cattle movement to the rainforest, an act that could cause more weeds imbalance in the rainforest.