Abstract
Unlocking browse species in semi-arid regions can be a key to improving the livestock productivity. The research was conducted to assess the browse species variation in chemical composition and in vitro dry matter degradability as influenced by seasonal (summer and winter) changes. Leaves from ten randomly selected browsable trees from sixteen species (Vachellia karroo, Senegalia nigrescens, Vachellia nilotica, Balanites maughamii, Berchemia discolor, Berchemia zeyheri, Bridelia mollis, Combretum collinum, Combretum imberbe, Dalbergia melanoxylon, Dichrostachys cinerea, Grewia monticola, Grewia occidentalis, Melia azedarach, Ormocarpum kirkii and Ziziphus mucronata) were harvested before defoliation from the site in two seasons (summer and winter) and dried at room temperature and then ground for analysis. Two-way analysis was used to analyse chemical composition and in vitro ruminal dry matter degradability. Melia azedarach (343.7 g/kg DM) had the highest (p < 0.0001) CP content in summer. In winter, B. maughamii (210.3 g/kg DM) had the highest (p < 0.05) crude protein content. Combretum collinum (2.90 Mcal/kg) had a highest (p < 0.0001) metabolizable energy value in summer. Bridelia mollis, B. maughamii, B. discolor, C. collinum, C. imberbe, O. kirkii, S. nigrescens, V. nilotica, G. occidentalis and B. zeyheri had the same (p > 0.0001) dry matter degradability (DMD) 48 values across two seasons. In both seasons, most of these browse species have the potential to supplement low quality natural grasses because they go beyond the minimum requirement of protein and have coherent amounts of fibre concentration. There is a need to assess the bioactive compounds found in these browse species for the amelioration and also to maximize browsing of these species.
Highlights
Livestock play a significant role in rural livelihoods and the economies of developing countries (Enahoro et al, 2019), and these livestock depend on rangelands mostly in semi-arid areas
B. maughamii, B. discolor, C. collinum, C. imberbe, O. kirkii, S. nigrescens, V. nilotica, G. occidentalis and B. zeyheri had the same (p [ 0.0001) dry matter degradability (DMD) 48 values across two seasons. Most of these browse species have the potential to supplement low quality natural grasses because they go beyond the minimum requirement of protein and have coherent amounts of fibre concentration
The significance differences were observed on the effect of species and season on Neutral detergent fibre (NDF), Dry matter intake (DMI) and relative feeding values (RFV)
Summary
Livestock play a significant role in rural livelihoods and the economies of developing countries (Enahoro et al, 2019), and these livestock depend on rangelands mostly in semi-arid areas. The relationship between season and plants and livestock has been observed around the world especially in semi-arid areas (Hassen et al, 2017; Mudzengi et al, 2020; Castro et al, 2021). During the drought season herbaceous layer tends to deteriorate its nutritional content and livestock happen to rely on browse species for nutritional needs. This will normally have an influence on ruminal fermentation of substrates, and the ruminants exposed on these low-quality forages will have difficulties meeting their maintenance requirements on certain seasons leading to low feed intake and ruminal fermentation on ruminants and this may lead to poor growth rate (Ravhuhali et al, 2011). The browse species are useful and inexpensive source of nutrients for livestock especially during drought seasons and they can be the alternative to commercial feed resources in most communal areas
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