Fodder Trees Research Articles

Reutilising abandoned cropland in the Hill agroecological region of Nepal: Options and farmers’ preferences

Despite the looming scarcity of agricultural land and rapidly growing demand for food and biofuel globally, more agricultural lands are being abandoned from farming than are being converted to agriculture. Therefore, there is increasing interest in reutilising abandoned croplands to mitigate the undesirable impacts of abandonment and address global challenges such as food insecurity, arable land scarcity and agrobiodiversity loss. Although a number of studies have examined the extent, drivers and impacts of abandonment at various temporal and spatial scales, few studies have investigated the dynamics and potential pathways for reutilising abandoned cropland. This study addressed this knowledge gap by analysing potential reutilisation options of abandoned croplands, considering the influence of socio-economic factors on farmer preferences for reutilisation options, and assessing the conditions that would create an enabling environment for productive reutilisation. Using a mixed methods approach, quantitative data was collected through a survey of 374 households and qualitative data from six focus group discussions in three districts of the Hill agroecological region of Nepal. The majority of farmers, regardless of abandoned cropland holdings, considered that abandoned croplands should be reutilised. The farmers identified seven options (Cash cropping, Fruit crop farming, Spice and medicinal crop farming, Fodder tree plantation, Cereal cropping, Woodlot plantation and Mixed subsistence farming) for reutilising of abandoned croplands. Farmers’ preference was comparatively higher for high value and cash-generating options for the reutilisation. Despite the dominance of traditional mixed subsistence farming in the area, the majority of farmers did not consider this system as a viable option for reutilisation. Structural and institutional factors, as well as labour constraints, were found important to create an enabling environment that motivates farmers for the reutilisation. Farmers’ greater preference for cash-generating options implies that the promotion of market-oriented farming on abandoned croplands could help to minimise abandonment and revitalise the Nepalese agricultural sector. The findings are relevant to other regions of the globe that have experienced cropland abandonment.

ANALYSIS OF THE SECONDARY METABOLITES OF VERNONIA AMYGDALINA AND THE ANTIMICROBIAL EFFECTS ON PATHOGENIC ORGANISMS

Medicinal plants have assumed the basis of traditional treatment and have proven effective in human health care worldwide. There is an increasing interest in complementary and alternative therapies to treat various illnesses. The continued consumption of antibiotics with little or no impact on bacteria has negatively affected health care delivery. Bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) is a common shrub belonging to the family Asteraceae and a perennial shrub usually cultivated as a homestead vegetable and fodder tree in various parts of Nigeria. The current study examined the effect of bitter leafs phytochemical constituents and antimicrobial activity on Candida albicans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus. The result of the phytochemical analysis performed on the root and stem bark of V. amygdalina revealed the presence of alkaloids, steroids, tannin, flavonoids, saponins, and phenol. However, the investigation revealed that tannins and phenol were mainly deposited in the plants stem bark. Also, the antimicrobial analysis conducted showed that S. aureus was more vulnerable to the ethanol, acetone, and hot aqueous extracts of V. amygdalina. At the same time. Albicans and P. aeruginosa showed sensitivity on exposure to ethanol and acetone but did not react to the hot aqueous extracts. The study concludes that the observed biological reactions indicated in the aqueous extracts of V. amygdalina validate the traditional application of this plant as an alternative antibiotic.

Biomass composition and dry matter yields of feed resource available at Lalo kile district of Kellem Wollega Zone, Western Ethiopia

This study aimed to assess the available livestock feed resources in the Lalo kile district of Kellem Wollega Zone, Western Ethiopia, in terms of species biomass composition and dry matter yield of dominant forage species. The district was stratified into two agro-ecologies: mid-altitude areas and low-altitude areas. The effects of grazing intensity on dry matter yields and biomass composition were analyzed using a randomized complete block design replicated three times having two blocks differed by two agro-ecologies (three mid-altitude kebeles and three low-altitude kebeles). The present study used seventy-two pasture samples and 20 × 20 m forage trees collected randomly from the two agro-ecologies of the study area. The General Linear Model of the SAS 19.0 version was used to compare the effects of the agro-ecology and species on dry matter yield and biomass composition. The result of the study indicated that the average dry matter yield for grasses, legumes, and other herbaceous forages was 1.156 t/ha, 0.242 t/ha, and 0.182 t/ha, with an overall 1.58 t/ha in the study district, respectively. About 73.13% of grasses, 15.32% of legumes, and 11.55% of other herbaceous were the species biomass composition in the study area. The midland agroecology had the average biomass fodder yields 7.98–19.78 kg/tree and 1.06–2.41 kg/shrub while lowland agroecology had 9.87–178.06 kg/tree and 1.34–3.87 kg/shrub. There was an estimate of 74.36–100 kg/ha fodder shrubs and 500–800 kg/ha fodder trees on cultivated and uncultivated land in the study area. The herbage yield of natural pasture is 1.733 t DMha−1 in the mid and 1.427 t DMha−1 in the low altitudes of the study area, with a mean herbage yield of 1.58 t DMha−1 during vegetation cover. The grazing capacity of the study area was 0.23 TLU/ha/year in the mid and 0.19 TLU/ha/year in the low altitudes of the study area, with a mean value of 0.21 TLU ha/year. The presence of limited grazing land in the study area led to overgrazing, which in turn resulted occurrence of land degradation associated with poor biomass yield, low quality and variable supply of feeds between the season. Therefore, this study suggests setting up land-use regulation policy to allocate separate land for feed production and commonly use for livestock feeding to improve livestock productivity and contribute to food security and poverty alleviation of small holder farmers in the study area.

Chemical composition of major livestock feed resources in the medium and low agroecological zones in the mixed farming system of Haru District, Ethiopia

The poor nutritional quality of feed resources is one of the major constraints to optimal livestock productivity in Ethiopia. In the current study area, there is lack of information on the chemical composition of major feed resources to quantify their nutritional quality for interventions. The aim of this study was to assess the chemical composition of livestock feed resources (natural pasture, crop residues, local liquor byproduct (atella) and indigenous fodder tree and shrub species) in the medium and low agroecological zones (AEZs) in the mixed farming system of Haru District, Ethiopia. The feed samples were analysed in dry matter basis for ash dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), acid-detergent fiber (ADF), neutral-detergent fiber (NDF) and ether extractor (EE)). The results revealed that nutrient content of feeds showed variation between the two AEZs. The overall mean DM, Ash, NDF, ADF, EE, and CP content of natural grass species ranged from 91.40 ± 0.84–92.26 ± 0.55 %, 6.88 ± 0.11–12.56 ± 1.04 %, 64.67 ± 1.51–70.14 ± 1.98 %, 47.47 ± 1.11–50.51 ± 1.30 %, 1.31 ± 0.11–1.58 ± 0.11 %, and 9.15 ± 0.31–12.07 ± 0.44 %, respectively, and the corresponding values for crop residues varied from 90.19 ± 0.77–93.67 ± 0.45 %, 7.20 ± 0.30–12.18 ± 0.66 %, 72.59 ± 2.26–78.19 ± 0.77 %, 53.70 ± 1.41–8.70 ± 0.82 %, 1.21 ± 0.09–1.97 ± 0.28 %, and 2.70 ± 0.16–6.43 ± 0.37 %, respectively. The overall mean DM, Ash, NDF, ADF, EE and CP content of Areke Atella in both AEZs ranged from 89.73 ± 0.67–93.71 ± 0.34 %, 7.55 ± 0.20–8.29 ± 0.04 %, 36.05 ± 0.42–42.38 ± 2.27 %, 30.31 ± 0.76–36.62 ± 0.49 %, 1.45 ± 0.01–1.68 ± 0.16 %, and 13.54 ± 0.27–16.43 ± 0.71 %, respectively. The overall mean DM, Ash, NDF, ADF, EE, and CP content of the indigenous fodder trees and shrubs (IFTS) varied between 90.49 ± 0.94–93.32 ± 0.58 %, 9.26 ± 0.46–11.82 ± 0.58 %, 45.29 ± .69–57.81 ± 2.80 %, 34.70 ± 0.48–36.90 ± 1.99 %, 2.34 ± 0.31–3.69 ± 0.19 %, and 8.12 ± .28–20.35 ± 0.42 %, respectively. In conclusion, IFTS had higher CP content followed by Areke atella, natural pasture grasses and crop residues. It is suggested that the supplementation of the studied IFTS and atella, particularly during the dry season when the quality of natural pasture decreases in CP content would be essential. Urea treatment of crop residues when affordable to improve its nutritional quality would be imperative to enhance livestock performance in the study area and for similar settings.

Contour Ridge Tillage for Improved Crops and Fodder Trees Production in the Villages of Kani and Noumpinesso, Southern- Mali

In rural Mali shortage of livestock feed is a challenging phenomenon worsening day by day, particularly in the villages of Kani and Noumpinesso. The significant decrease in crops yield and livestock are due to persistent and continuous land degradation and over grazing. Soil water erosion and inappropriate or ineffective farming systems led to land degradation over the many years. A purposeful growing of fodder plant (fast growing trees species) and crops in interacting combinations for a range of benefits would be required using a technology that is easily adaptable by the rural farming communities. Contour ridge (CR) technology is a holistic approach that protects farmlands from erosion; increases soil moisture, nutrient availability for crops and associated fast growing trees. The CR technology in combination with forage and improved crop production systems were applied in Kani and Noumpinesso villages of southern Mali and resulted indicated that at the end of rainy season of 2017 and 2018 the application of CR technology significantly increased (p < 0.05) Gliricidia sepium and Leucaena leucocephala growth and development. Similar to 2017, in 2018 CR technology significantly increased (p < 0.05) sorghum, millet, maize, and cotton growth, yield, and economic benefit. At Kani during 2017 and 2018 season soil moisture was always significantly higher (p < 0.05) under fodder planted area than non-fodder planted area, and the difference was high with respect to farmlands without CR.

POTENTIAL OF MELIA AZEDARACH L. AS LIVESTOCK FODDER CROP

The livestock sector plays an important role in India in terms of ensuring food security and a source of income. Availability of nutritive fodder round the year is a big constraint in India, particularly in Jharkhand which accounts for the low productivity of livestock sector. Agroforestry with fodder trees and browse species has been practiced for a long time here. Melia azedarach is a remarkable fodder tree species with its high nutritional fodder value and good biomass production which needs popularisation among farmers and for payment of ecosystem services. The present investigation was carried out to analyze the quality and quantity of Bakain intercropped with fodder crops viz., Stylo, Charabadam, Paragrass and Hybrid Napier in agroforestry system at the Faculty of Forestry, Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, Jharkhand during 2019-20. Fodder production in Bakain tree in terms of green and dry leaf biomass, as well as their quality attributes viz., crude protein, crude fiber, acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, ether extract, ash content, nitrogen free extract were assessed. Five different treatment combinations viz., Bakain + Stylo, Bakain + Charabadam, Bakain + Paragrass, Bakain + Hybrid Napier, and one control plot of Bakain tree was replicated three times and statistically analyzed in Randomized Block Design. The result indicates that sole Bakain tree had the highest green and dry leaf biomass (2.133 and 0.912 kg/tree respectively), CF and NDF (53.63 and 34.84 respectively), whereas, CP, Ash and E.E (12.97, 3.07, 4.13 respectively) found highest in Bakain + Stylo combinations and highest ADF (38.27) was obtained in Bakain + Charabadam combination. However, some combinations of intercrops with Bakain could not be established for the farmers of Jharkhand. The study concludes that intercropping of Bakain with legume grass like Stylo and Charabadam were found to be most beneficial with regards to fodder production both in term of nutritional quality and quantity.

Fodder Leaves and Wood Mass Productivity Assessment of Moringa oleifera in Semi-arid Central India

Good quality feed resources are very important component to achieve the production potential from livestock business. Supplementation of protein rich fodder tree leaves or its leaf meal could be a potential alternative for increasing the quality of livestock diet. A study was conducted to assess Moringa foliage plantation with respect to leaves and wood leaves and wood production per unit area to quantify precise biomass production. The relationship between plant base diameter to leaf biomass and wood mass yield were established and observed high correlation coefficients (R2 ) ranges from 0.80 to 0.87. Mean fodder leaves yield of 227q/ha, woodmass yield of 984q /ha with leaf stem ratio of 18.8:81.2 were observed on fresh harvesting basis. Dried leaf and wood mass production were recorded 66q/ha and 659 q/ha, respectively. The crude protein yield from Moringa leaves was assessed as 12.9 q on dry matter basis from one hectare Moringa field. A process methodology has also been developed for the preparation of Moringa leaf meal.

Mind the adoption gap: Findings from a field experiment designed to scale up the availability of fodder shrub seedlings in Malawi

Abstract While dairy production has the potential to diversify smallholder agriculture and increase incomes, there are multiple constraints. One is the consistent provision of quality feed. High protein, leguminous fodder shrubs – also referred to as Fodder Tree Technology (FTT) – can help address this constraint, yet adoption levels are generally low. Implemented in Kenya and Malawi, the Shrubs for Change (S4C) project is employing several approaches to address this situation, including those informed by behavioral science. Given that approximately 500 shrubs per cow are needed to generate enough leaf matter to bolster milk production, promoting FTT at scale necessitates the production, distribution, and successful planting of large numbers of shrub seedlings. We implemented a field experiment in Malawi’s Southern Region in late 2021 to test the effectiveness of a social learning intervention intended to motivate dairy farmers to significantly scale up the production of FTT seedlings. This intervention involved meeting with dairy farmers in 39 randomly selected milk production zones to review the numbers of seedlings being produced vis-à-vis local demand, coupled with the development of action plans to address identified production gaps. While we find that this intervention increased the setting up of private nurseries by 10% (p < 0.05), it only increased overall seedling production by an average of 20 additional seedlings per dairy farmer (p > 0.1). We offer several explanations for this lower than expected and statistically insignificant result, which point to the need for iterative rounds of engagement with farmers when supporting them to take up FTT and other complex agronomic and sustainable land management innovations.

Methane Mitigation Potential of Foliage of Fodder Trees Mixed at Two Levels with a Tropical Grass

Enteric methane (CH4) emitted by ruminant species is known as one of the main greenhouse gases produced by the agricultural sector. The objective of this study was to assess the potential the potential for CH4 mitigation and additionally the chemical composition, in vitro gas production, dry matter degradation (DMD), digestibility and CO2 production of five tropical tree species with novel forage potential including: Spondias mombin, Acacia pennatula, Parmentiera aculeata, Brosimum alicastrum and Bursera simaruba mixed at two levels of inclusion (15 and 30%) with a tropical grass (Pennisetum purpureum). The forage samples were incubated for 48 h, and a randomized complete block design was used. Crude protein content was similar across treatments (135 ± 42 g kg−1 DM), while P. purpureum was characterized by a high content of acid detergent fiber (335.9 g kg−1 DM) and B. simaruba by a high concentration of condensed tannins (20 g kg−1 DM). Likewise, A. pennatula and P. aculeata were characterized by a high content of cyanogenic glycosides and alkaloids respectively. Treatments SM30-PP70 (30% S. mombin + 70% P. purpureum) and BA30-PP70 (30% B. alicastrum + 70% P. purpureum) resulted in superior degradability at 48h than P. purpureum, while in the AP30-PP70 (30% A. pennatula + 70% P. purpureum) was lower than the control treatment (p ≤ 0.05). At 24 and 48 h, treatments that contained P. aculeata and B. alicastrum yield higher CH4 mL g−1 DOM than P. purpureum (p ≤ 0.05). The inclusion of these forage species had no statistical effect on the reduction of CH4 emissions per unit of DM incubated or degraded at 24 and 48 h with respect to P. purpureum although reductions were observed. The use of fodders locally available is an economic and viable strategy for the mitigation of the environmental impact generated from tropical livestock systems.

Assessing, evaluation and demonstration of highland indigenous fodder tree and shrub species in Debub Ari district, Southern Ethiopia

Assessing, evaluation and demonstration of highland indigenous fodder tree and shrub species in Debub Ari district, Southern Ethiopia

Feed and forage development in mixed crop–livestock systems of the Ethiopian highlands: Africa RISING project research experience

AbstractAfrica Research in Sustainable Intensification for Next Generation (RISING) project has conducted action research on livestock feed and forages starting in 2012 to bridge gaps on feed availability and quality. The objectives of this paper are to share approaches on how Africa RISING project enabled smallholder farmers to intensify feed and forage resources; present research findings of selected cultivated forages, fodder trees, and postharvest feed and forage utilization innovations; and highlight key lessons evolving from the feed and forage action research and scaling interventions. The project established partnership with CGIAR and local partners, conducted participatory need assessment, prioritized researchable issues, identified and validated different forages and utilization innovations, and created development partnership to facilitate wider scaling. Training activities and multistakeholder platforms were used to enhance cross learning of project partners. The cultivated forages grown under farmers’ fields and management conditions provided high biomass yield of good nutritional quality. For instance, oat (Avena sativa L.)–vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) mixture, lablab [Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet], vetch–desho grass (Pennisetum pedicellatum Trin.) intercropping, sweet lupin (Lupinus albus L.), alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), and fodder beet (Beta vulgaris L.) yielded on average 15, 3.4, 5.5, 2.9, 15.3, and 20.2 t dry matter ha−1, respectively. Animal response trials showed an increase in milk yield of 30–50% with supplementation of oat–vetch mixture and fodder beet. Feed wastage was considerably reduced (>30%) due to the use of feed troughs and storage sheds, with high economic incentives to invest in such innovations. Integrating and intensifying feed and forage resources and postharvest innovations at farm level remains a priority to improve livestock productivity and food security.

Adaptation and mitigation strategies to climate change by smallholder dairy farmers: A case of Nandi county in Kenya

Climate change has an impact on agriculture and subsequently food productivity and security. This study assesses adaptation and mitigation strategies to climate change by smallholder dairy farmers in the Nandi county of Kenya. Questionnaires, Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and key informant interviews were used to collect data. A Pearson's chi-square test was used to test significant associations. Results indicate most households in study area were male headed (79.2%), with between 4 and 6 people (51.8%) and aged between 31 and 60 years (75.4%). Over 80% of households were dependent on farming as a source of income. Households depended on natural pastures on their own farms as a source of feed (76.5%) and crop residues (49.9%). Natural pastures and fodder crops were considered the most important source of feed for the cows. Fodder were planted in less than 0.5 acres of land for Napier (80.1%), Rhodes grass (57.5%), Sorghum (54%), Maize (33.4%), Kikuyu Grass (40.3%), Lucerne (59.4%) and household planting <50 fodder Trees (82.1%). Smallholder farmers conserved/preserved crop residue (88.2%), hay (39.9%) and silage (35.4%). Methods used to address negative experiences of climate change included use conserved hay/ silage (44.2%), buying of commercial feeds (40.9%), use crop residue (74.6%), moving of animals to other farms (8.8%) and selling of animals (17.4%). Measures to prevent negative effects of climate change included adoption of fodder types/varieties (54.7%) and conservation and preservation practices (70.0%). The study recommends greater attention to increase fodder crop production and conservation, support to smallholder farmers to explore new ways that would sustainably help them adapt and mitigate the effect of climate change on fodder productivity and subsequently on milk production.

​Nutritional Evaluation of Predominant Tree Fodders and Shrubs of Southern Kerala as a Quality Livestock Feed

Background: India ranks first in global livestock production and it is an important subsidiary enterprise that support more than 75 per cent of the rural community. But fodder production is not well practiced in our country and animals generally consume naturally grown grasses and shrubs which are of low quality in terms of protein and available energy. Hence, there is an urgent need to look for new fodder resources that are sustainable in nature and cover our fodder deficit. Keeping the above in view, the present study has been proposed to evaluate the predominant tree fodders and shrubs of Southern Kerala as a quality livestock feed. Methods: The study was conducted in College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram during January-September, 2020 to assess the nutritional value of predominant tree fodders and shrubs in Southern Kerala as a quality feed for cattle. Ten different fodder trees and shrubs that locally fed to the cattle viz., Agathi (Sesbania grandiflora), erythrina (Erythrina indica), Drumstick (Moringa oleifera), Coconut (Cocos nucifera), Glyricidia (Glyricidia maculate), Matti (Terminalia elliptica), Subabul (Leucaena leucocephala), Cassava (Manihot esculenta), Banana (Musa acuminate) and Mango (Mangifera indica) were selected and analysed for proximate composition, crude fiber and mineral status. Result: The result revealed that mean values for dry matter, crude protein, crude fiber, ether extract and total ash in tree fodders were 37.07±4.02, 18.52±1.72, 18.56±2.07, 4.68±0.51, 8.72±0.66, respectively. The study also proved that Sesbania grandiflora (Agathi) is nutritionally superior to other tree fodders with high crude protein (25.24%) and lower crude fiber (8.43%) content. The Neutral Detergent Fiber content of fodder tree leaves varied from 17.34- 65.32 per cent and that of Acid Detergent Fiber from 11.10-48.69 per cent. Phosphorus and potassium status of top feeds comes under the range of 0.26-0.93 per cent and 1.0-2.7 per cent respectively. However the highest amount of Calcium as well as magnesium was found in Moringa oleifera (2.75 and 0.60 per cent respectively).

Agroforestry practices and food security in the mount Bamboutos landscape, Western Highlands of Cameroon

This study presents agroforestry practices by farmers in Mount Bamboutos, why they adopt agroforestry practices and main constraints towards adoption as well as the relationship between agroforestry practices and household food security. A purposive sampling technique was used to administer 195 questionnaires. Data collected were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The demographic information analyzed showed that the majority of respondents were males (76%) and all were literate with a majority using fuel wood as their main source of energy. The major agroforestry practices were, planting of fodder, fertilizer, fruit and timber trees, compost manure and farm yard manure preparation. The highest year of adoption of agroforestry practices was in 2019. Most (50%) of the respondents adopted agroforestry practices for better crop yields. However, the main constraints to agroforestry adoption were lack of training, lack of seeds and much labour involved. Lack of training was the greatest constraint cited by respondents. 39% of the respondents were food secure and apart from compost manure practice that was negatively associated with food security, all the other agroforestry practices were positively associated with food security. Based on findings of this study, it is recommended that extension agents and other stakeholders should intensify efforts to educate and train more farmers on the practice and advantages of agroforestry. This will go a long way to increase adoption rate while ensuring food security.

Grazing patterns affecting browse availability and sustainable management

Ecological biodiversity in Sudan needs a lot of focused work and research to enrich knowledge. Knowledge is of a vital importance for a better use of the vegetation cover to reach sustainable management systems. Browse systems in arid zones seek scientific management since it is strongly bound to activities practiced by people. This study was carried out in an arid area to serve as an example for other similar places. The objectives meant to be studied include the assessment of, first, the browse availability of the most dominant trees, second, to study the ground vegetation cover in terms of density, frequency, forage biomass cover and biodiversity and third, to study the socioeconomic aspects related to browse utilization. Three sites were chosen randomly for the study. Samples of 250m x 250m were selected. Tree species in each sample were identified and tree density was determined by a direct count of the number of trees found. A major founding was the preference of Acacia trees as fodder trees. They provide both fodder for animals and used as a legume tree for soil fertility increase and soil conservation. Trees as legume plants also add nutrients which contribute to soil improvement. The tree density was found reasonable throughout the area whereas the natural regeneration found to be diminishing. Acacia tortilis was the most favorable fodder tree. Water source was the main factor that determines the utilization of browse resources during summertime. Tree density was decreasing due to over grazing, non-tree reseeding together with the drastic climate changes. The study recommended that conservation of plant cover is importantly needed through management and well-planned programs to keep the density of vegetation cover to be within the ecological sustainable balance. A well-designed extension messages were needed to serve maintaining the desired management. Soil conservation programs should be planned in close relation with income generating activities practiced by the poor people in the area. Different bodies that involved in the browse utilization must participate in the management process.

Trace element composition of tree fodder and potential nutritional use for livestock

Silvopastoral agroforestry, the integration of trees into livestock production systems, is an ancient practice with benefits to animal welfare and nutrition. Intensification of farming practices have reduced the presence of trees and hedgerows in the agricultural landscape. Environmental benefits coupled with improvements to ecological resilience and the long-term sustainability of farm productivity have led to a resurgence in interest in silvopastoral farming systems. The objective of this study was to investigate the nutritional composition and potential use of tree leaves as a supplementary fodder for ruminant livestock, with particular reference to sheep.Leaves (including petioles) were collected during spring (June) and autumn (September) from goat willow (Salix caprea), oak (Quercus spp) and alder (Alnus spp) from three sites in the UK. On the third site samples of ash (Fraxinus excelsior), beech (Fagus sylvatica), sweet chestnut (Castenea sativa) and sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) were also collected. Tree leaves were analysed to determine mineral content, dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), modified acid detergent fibre (MADF) and metabolisable energy (ME) which were then compared to the nutritional requirements of grazing sheep (Ovis aries).Leaves from all tree species used in this study were able to exceed the dietary ME and CP concentration requirements (NRC) for growing lambs (40 kg lamb @ 150 g/d). Alder contained the most ME and CP of the studied species. There was no significant effect of season although CP was higher in spring than autumn for all tree species.Zinc and cobalt concentrations were found to be dependent on tree species with negligible site and season effects. All (NRC) sheep requirements of both elements were exceeded by willow, met by alder and not met by oak, willow exceeded these requirements for zinc and cobalt by approximately 3-6 and 10-15 fold respectively. Leaf selenium concentrations were site specific with site 1 almost able to meet maximal requirement, whilst all other sites (all tree species) were around the minimal requirement.To conclude, ME and CP concentrations of the tree leaves were generally within a requirement range to support adequate growth of lambs if leaves fed alone (not likely in practice). Selenium concentrations were site dependant, iodine was mainly season dependent with tree species effects for zinc and cobalt. The zinc and especially cobalt concentrations of willow leaves were sufficient to suggest that willow could be used as a bio-supplement when fed within a conventional grazing system, especially useful for growing lambs.

Trade-Offs and Synergies Between Food and Fodder Production and Other Ecosystem Services in an Actively Restored Forest, Natural Forest and an Agroforestry System in Ghana

Active restoration of degraded areas with multi-purpose tree species has been proposed as a measure to counter the losses from deforestation and mitigate consequences for local human communities. In a restoration project at a former mining site in Ghana, ecosystem services (ES) proxies in an actively restored forest were compared to a local agroforestry system and a natural forest. The results provide information about trade-offs and synergies between proxies of multiple ES(s). ES proxies were assessed according to the following categories: (a) food-tree ES: biomass of food and fodder trees, (b) other trees ES: biomass of fuelwood, medicine or mulch trees, (c) ES-providing arthropods: the number of detritivorous and predaceous arthropods, (d) carbon storage, and (e) tree diversity. Eight replicated plots with sizes of 20 m × 20 m were established in each forest type, and the following ES proxies were quantified: tree diversity was estimated as taxonomic richness of all trees with a diameter at breast height ≥ 10 cm in each plot. Tree species were then classified into ES categories (food, fodder, fuelwood, medicine, or mulch). Ground-dwelling arthropods were sampled for 10 weeks with five pitfall traps in each plot and categorized as decomposers and predators. Tree above-ground biomass was estimated based on the measured tree diameter, height, and specific wood density using an improved allometric equation. The above-ground biomass was later converted into carbon storage by assuming 50% of the above-ground biomass of each tree. ES proxies based on tree biomass were highest in the natural forest. Fodder, medicine, fuelwood, and mulch ES proxies were significantly higher in the restored forest than the agroforestry system. Decomposer arthropods were most dominant in the natural forest, followed by the restored forest and the agroforestry system. Predacious arthropods were more dominant in the restored forest than in the other forest types. Carbon storage was highest in the natural forest, followed by the agroforestry system and the restored forest. The actively restored forest took an intermediate position between the agroforestry system and the natural forest regarding values for all nine ES proxies. Out of the 14 possible relationships between food or fodder and other ES proxies, five were significantly positive (synergies) with no observed trade-offs (significant negative relationships). High fodder production in the restored and natural forests went along with higher values of other biomass ES proxies and numbers of beneficial arthropods, while higher food biomass also correlated positively with numbers of decomposing arthropods. Our results document that active restoration of degraded sites provides a valuable framework to promote ES provision to local communities compared to agroforestry system, but at the cost of lower food and fuelwood biomass and carbon storage compared to natural forests.

ASSESSING THE PHYTOCHEMICAL CONTENTS AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF BITTER LEAF (VERNONIA AMYGDALINA) ON MICRO-ORGANISMS

Medicinal plants have assumed the basis of traditional medicine and have proven effective in human health care across the world. There is a growing interest in the role of complementary and alternative medicines to treat various illnesses. The continued consumption of antibiotic with little or no impact on bacteria have negatively affected health care delivery. Bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) is a popular shrub belonging to the family Asteraceae and a perennial shrub commonly cultivated as a homestead vegetable and fodder tree in various parts of Nigeria. The current study was conducted to assess the phytochemical constituents and antimicrobial activity of bitter leaf on Candida albicans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. The result of the phytochemical analysis conducted on the root and stem bark of V. amygdalina revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannin, steroids, flavonoids, phenol, and saponins. However, it was found that tannins and phenol were mainly deposited in the plants stem bark.Also, the antimicrobial analysis conducted revealed that S. aureus was more vulnerable to the ethanol, acetone, and hot aqueous extracts of V. amygdalina. while, P. aeruginosa, and C. Albicans showed sensitivity to ethanol and acetone exposure but failed to react to the hot aqueous extracts.The study concludes that the observed biological reactions shown by the aqueous extracts of V. amygdalina corroborate the traditional application of this plant as an alternative antibiotic.

Cattle Feed Resource, Water Sources and Housing System in the Central Rift Valley of Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

The study was conducted in Adami Tulu Jidokombolcha (ATJK), Bora, Dodola, Shala and Negele-Arsi districts with objective to assess main cattle feed resources, water sources and housing systems. A pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire was used to conduct survey. About 240 respondents were identified using random sampling techniques. Collected data was analyzed by SPSS statistical software (Ver. 24). Study result indicates that household in average had three hectares of land and allocated about two hectares of land for crop cultivation. Most respondents reported that cattle herding is not common during dry season while it is common during wet season. Survey result indicate that natural pasture, weed and maize tiller and stored crop residues are main feed resources in wet season while crop after math, crop residue and fodder trees are main resources during dry season. Brackish, local mineral and common salt are mineral sources for cattle in study areas. Lake, river and boreholes are important water sources in dry season where as ponds and rivers are main water sources during wet season for their cattle. The observed cattle watering frequency is mainly once a day. Housing system practiced in the study areas is mainly Kraal. The information generated from this study on land size per household, cattle herding system, feed resources, mineral sources, water sources, water utilization and housing type can be used as a baseline for any livestock development programs in those and similar areas.

Rapid tannin profiling of tree fodders using untargeted mid-infrared spectroscopy and partial least squares regression

BackgroundThe presence of condensed tannins (CT) in tree fodders entails a series of productive, health and ecological benefits for ruminant nutrition. Current wet analytical methods employed for full CT characterisation are time and resource-consuming, thus limiting its applicability for silvopastoral systems. The development of quick, safe and robust analytical techniques to monitor CT’s full profile is crucial to suitably understand CT variability and biological activity, which would help to develop efficient evidence-based decision-making to maximise CT-derived benefits. The present study investigates the suitability of Fourier-transformed mid-infrared spectroscopy (MIR: 4000–550 cm−1) combined with multivariate analysis to determine CT concentration and structure (mean degree of polymerization—mDP, procyanidins:prodelphidins ratio—PC:PD and cis:trans ratio) in oak, field maple and goat willow foliage, using HCl:Butanol:Acetone:Iron (HBAI) and thiolysis-HPLC as reference methods.ResultsThe MIR spectra obtained were explored firstly using Principal Component Analysis, whereas multivariate calibration models were developed based on partial least-squares regression. MIR showed an excellent prediction capacity for the determination of PC:PD [coefficient of determination for prediction (R2P) = 0.96; ratio of prediction to deviation (RPD) = 5.26, range error ratio (RER) = 14.1] and cis:trans ratio (R2P = 0.95; RPD = 4.24; RER = 13.3); modest for CT quantification (HBAI: R2P = 0.92; RPD = 3.71; RER = 13.1; Thiolysis: R2P = 0.88; RPD = 2.80; RER = 11.5); and weak for mDP (R2P = 0.66; RPD = 1.86; RER = 7.16).ConclusionsMIR combined with chemometrics allowed to characterize the full CT profile of tree foliage rapidly, which would help to assess better plant ecology variability and to improve the nutritional management of ruminant livestock.