Effect of Silvopastoral Systems in the Thermoregulatory and Feeding Behaviors of Water Buffaloes Under Different Conditions of Heat Stress.

Maykel A Galloso-Hernández,Carlos A Alvarez-Díaz,Jesús Iglesias-Gómez,Vicente Rodríguez-Estévez,Devon Dublin,Mildrey Soca-Pérez,Leonel Simon Guelmes

doi:10.3389/fvets.2020.00393

Abstract

Buffaloes use wallowing behavior to release excess heat in tropical conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of silvopastoral systems in the feeding and thermoregulatory behavior of water buffaloes under moderate and intense heat stress. The behavior of water buffaloes was evaluated in two different production systems. The conventional system with Guinea grass (Megathyrsus maximus) only, and the silvopastoral system with Guinea grass and Leucaena leucocephala trees. The relation between the frequency of animal activities and the length of time the animals engaged in each activity was measured during the day time (6:00–18:00 h) by visual observations at 10-min intervals. The results obtained suggest that buffaloes use tree shade to partially supplement wallowing. Feeding behavior increased under intense heat stress in the silvopastoral system indicating that it can be a promising alternative to improve the buffaloes rearing conditions in the tropics.

Highlights

The thermoregulatory behavior of water buffaloes in the tropics includes wallowing in water and shading [1, 2]
The wallowing time in the conventional system under conditions of intense heat stress was significantly higher compared to the time of wallowing under conditions of moderate heat stress (P < 0.05)
The grazing time under intense heat stress in the conventional system was significantly less compared to the conventional system under moderate heat stress conditions (P < 0.05)

Summary

Introduction

The thermoregulatory behavior of water buffaloes in the tropics includes wallowing in water and shading [1, 2]. The reduction in water reservoirs due to climate change can have a negative impact on buffalo production systems where wallowing is essential for thermoregulation [3]. Heat stress reduces grazing and as a consequence, a reduction in the productive and reproductive indicators in water buffaloes [4]. The combination of leguminous trees and pastures increases 3-fold buffalo production per hectare when compared to systems that do not include trees [8]. The inclusion of Leucanea trees reduces infection by Haemonchus and Ostertagia in buffaloes [12, 13] due to the presence of condensed tannins and polyphenols with antiparasitic effect in these trees [14]

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Conclusion