Forage value of vegetative leaf and stem biomass fractions of selected grasses indigenous to African rangelands
Kevin Z. Mganga![https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7908-7561](/media/client/orcid_16x16.png)
A Department of Agricultural Sciences, South Eastern Kenya University, Kitui, Kenya.
B Department of Forest Sciences, University of Helsinki, Latokartanokaari 7, Helsinki, Finland.
C MetaMeta Research, Postelstraat 2, 5211 EA ’s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands.
D Corresponding author. Email: kzowe@yahoo.com; kmganga@seku.ac.ke
Animal Production Science 61(14) 1476-1483 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN19597
Submitted: 16 October 2019 Accepted: 12 April 2021 Published: 25 May 2021
Journal Compilation © CSIRO 2021 Open Access CC BY
Abstract
Context: Rangeland grasses native to Africa constitute the main diet for free-ranging livestock and wild herbivores. Leaf:stem ratio is a key characteristic used for assessing quality of forages. However, studies to determine the allocation of biomass to leaves and stems as well as chemical components and nutritive value, especially of grasses in African rangelands, are rare.
Aim: This study was conducted to establish biomass allocation and chemical and mineral components in leaf and stem fractions of three grasses, Eragrostis superba, Enteropogon macrostachyus and Cenchrus ciliaris, all indigenous to African rangelands.
Methods: Plant height, plant densities, plant tiller densities and biomass yields were estimated at the elongation stage, before inflorescence. Chemical and mineral components were determined from biomass harvested at the vegetative phase for all three grass species. Dry matter, ash content, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, acid detergent lignin, and calcium, phosphorus and potassium contents were determined.
Key results: Enteropogon macrostachyus displayed significantly greater plant and tiller densities and plant height than the other two species. Leaf and stem biomass fractions varied significantly (P < 0.05) among grasses. Leaf:stem ratio of E. superba was double that of E. macrostachyus and C. ciliaris. Crude protein and organic matter yields and net energy for lactation were highest (P < 0.05) in E. superba leaf biomass, as was Ca content.
Conclusions: Eragrostis superba demonstrated greater potential as a forage species for ruminant animal production than E. macrostachyus and C. ciliaris.
Implications: Eragrostis superba is a key forage species that warrants promotion in pasture establishment programs in its native environments.
Keywords: semiarid, dryland, reseeding, ruminants, nutrition, pastoralists, African foxtail grass, buffel grass, Maasai love grass, bush rye grass.
References
Abate A, Kayongo-Male H, Karue CN (1981) Dry matter, protein, energy and fibre intake by dairy heifer grazing a Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) pasture. Animal Feed Science and Technology 6, 15–26.| Dry matter, protein, energy and fibre intake by dairy heifer grazing a Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) pasture.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Baumont R, Prache S, Meuret M, Morand-Fehr P (2000) How forage characteristics influence behaviour and intake in small ruminants: a review. Livestock Production Science 64, 15–28.
| How forage characteristics influence behaviour and intake in small ruminants: a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ben-Shahar R, Coe MJ (1992) The relationships between soil factors, grass nutrients and the foraging behaviour of wildebeest and zebra. Oecologia 90, 422–428.
| The relationships between soil factors, grass nutrients and the foraging behaviour of wildebeest and zebra.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 28313531PubMed |
Boutton TW, Tieszen LL, Imbamba SK (1988) Seasonal changes in the nutrient content of East African grassland vegetation. African Journal of Ecology 26, 103–115.
| Seasonal changes in the nutrient content of East African grassland vegetation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cardoso LA (2012) Environmental and economic impacts of livestock productivity increase in sub-Saharan Africa. Tropical Animal Health and Production 44, 1879–1884.
| Environmental and economic impacts of livestock productivity increase in sub-Saharan Africa.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 22528537PubMed |
Coppock CE, Woelfel CG, Belyea RL (1981) Forage and feed testing programs — problems and opportunities. Journal of Dairy Science 64, 1625–1633.
| Forage and feed testing programs — problems and opportunities.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cox G (1990) ‘Laboratory manual of general ecology.’ 6th edn. (William C. Brown: Dubuque, IA, USA)
Crocker RL, Tiver NS (1948) Survey methods in grassland ecology. Grass and Forage Science 3, 1–26.
| Survey methods in grassland ecology.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Delagarde R, Peyraud JL, Delaby L, Faverdin P (2000) Vertical distribution of biomass, chemical composition and pepsin-cellulase digestibility in a perennial rye grass sward: interaction with month of year, regrowth age and time of day. Animal Feed Science and Technology 84, 49–68.
| Vertical distribution of biomass, chemical composition and pepsin-cellulase digestibility in a perennial rye grass sward: interaction with month of year, regrowth age and time of day.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Erickson PS, Kalscheur KF (2020) Nutrition and feeding of dairy cattle. In ‘Animal agriculture: sustainability, challenges and innovations’. (Ed. W Bazer, GC Lamb, G Wu) pp. 157–180. (Elsevier: Netherlands)
Ferri CM (2011) The seasonal and inter-annual patterns of biomass accumulation and crude protein in kleingrass (Panicum coloratum) in the semiarid Pampean region of Argentina. Ciencia e Investigación Agraria 38, 191–198.
| The seasonal and inter-annual patterns of biomass accumulation and crude protein in kleingrass (Panicum coloratum) in the semiarid Pampean region of Argentina.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gilliham M, Dayod M, Hocking BJ, Xu B, Conn SJ, Kaiser BN, Leigh RA, Tyerman SD (2011) Calcium delivery and storage in plant leaves: exploring the link with water flow. The Journal of Experimental Biology 62, 2233–2250.
| Calcium delivery and storage in plant leaves: exploring the link with water flow.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Greene LW (2000) Designing mineral supplementation of forage programs for beef cattle. Journal of Animal Science 77, 1–9.
| Designing mineral supplementation of forage programs for beef cattle.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Henken AM, Lucas H, Tijssen PAT, Machiels MAM (1986) A comparison between methods used to determine the energy content of feed, fish and faeces samples. Aquaculture 58, 195–201.
| A comparison between methods used to determine the energy content of feed, fish and faeces samples.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Juknevičius S, Sabiene N (2007) The content of mineral elements in some grasses and legumes. Ekologija (Lietuvos Mokslu Akademija) 53, 44–52.
Kabuga JD, Darko CA (1993) In sacco degradation of dry matter and nitrogen in oven dried and fresh tropical grasses and some relationships to in vitro dry matter digestibility. Animal Feed Science and Technology 40, 191–205.
| In sacco degradation of dry matter and nitrogen in oven dried and fresh tropical grasses and some relationships to in vitro dry matter digestibility.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kambashi B, Picron P, Boudry C, Théwis A, Kiatoko H, Bindelle J (2014) Nutritive value of tropical forage plants fed to pigs in the Western provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Animal Feed Science and Technology 191, 47–56.
| Nutritive value of tropical forage plants fed to pigs in the Western provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Al Haj Khaled R, Duru M, Decruyenaere V, Jouany C, Cruz P (2006) Using leaf traits to rank native grasses according to their nutritive value. Rangeland Ecology and Management 59, 648–654.
| Using leaf traits to rank native grasses according to their nutritive value.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Koech OK, Kinuthia RN, Karuku GN, Mureithi SM, Wanjogu R (2016) Field curing methods and storage duration affect the quality of hay from six rangeland grass species in Kenya. Ecological Processes 5, 3
| Field curing methods and storage duration affect the quality of hay from six rangeland grass species in Kenya.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Krichen K, Mariem HB, Chaieb M (2014) Ecophysiological requirement on seed germination of a Mediterranean perennial grass (Stipa tenacissima L.) under controlled temperatures and water stress. South African Journal of Botany 94, 210–217.
| Ecophysiological requirement on seed germination of a Mediterranean perennial grass (Stipa tenacissima L.) under controlled temperatures and water stress.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kuehn CS, Jung HG, Linn JG, Martin NP (1999) Characteristics of alfalfa hay quality grades based on the relative feed value index. Journal of Production Agriculture 12, 681–684.
| Characteristics of alfalfa hay quality grades based on the relative feed value index.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Latimer GW (2016) ‘Official methods of analysis of AOAC International.’ 20th edn. (AOAC International: Rockville, MD, USA)
Marshall VM, Lewis MM, Ostendorf B (2012) Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) as an invader and threat to biodiversity in arid environments: a review. Journal of Arid Environments 78, 1–12.
| Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) as an invader and threat to biodiversity in arid environments: a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mero RN, Udén P (1998) Promising tropical grasses and legumes as feed resources in Central Tanzania III: Effect of feeding level on digestibility and voluntary intake of four grasses by sheep. Animal Feed Science and Technology 70, 79–95.
| Promising tropical grasses and legumes as feed resources in Central Tanzania III: Effect of feeding level on digestibility and voluntary intake of four grasses by sheep.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mertens DR (2002) Gravimetric determination of amylase-treated neutral detergent fibre in feeds with refluxing beakers or crucibles: collaborative study. Journal of AOAC International 85, 1217–1240.
Mganga KZ, Musimba NKR, Nyariki DM, Nyangito MM, Mwang’ombe AW (2015) The choice of grass species to combat desertification in semi-arid rangelands is greatly influenced by their forage value for livestock. Grass and Forage Science 70, 161–167.
| The choice of grass species to combat desertification in semi-arid rangelands is greatly influenced by their forage value for livestock.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mnene WN, Hanson J, Ekaya WN, Kinyamario JI, Mweki P, Lall G, Stuth JW, Jamnadass RH (2005) Genetic variation between ecotypic populations of Chloris roxburghiana grass detected through RAPD analysis. African Journal of Range & Forage Science 22, 107–115.
| Genetic variation between ecotypic populations of Chloris roxburghiana grass detected through RAPD analysis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Müller I, Schmid B, Weiner J (2000) The effect of nutrient availability on biomass allocation patterns in 27 species of herbaceous plants. Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics 3, 115–127.
| The effect of nutrient availability on biomass allocation patterns in 27 species of herbaceous plants.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mwendia SW, Yunusa IAM, Sindel BM, Whalley RDB, Kariuki IW (2017) Assessment of Napier grass accessions in lowland and highland tropical environments in East Africa: productivity and forage quality. Experimental Agriculture 53, 27–43.
| Assessment of Napier grass accessions in lowland and highland tropical environments in East Africa: productivity and forage quality.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
NRC (National Research Council) (2000) ‘Nutrient requirements of beef cattle.’ 7th edn. (National Academy Press: Washington, DC). Available at http://www.nap.edu/books/0309069343/html
Pflaum RT, Howick LC (1956) Spectrophotometric determination of potassium with sodium tetraphenylborate. Analytical Chemistry 28, 1542–1544.
| Spectrophotometric determination of potassium with sodium tetraphenylborate.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Poorter H, Nagel O (2000) The role of biomass allocation in the growth response of plants to different levels of light, CO2, nutrients and water: a quantitative review. Australian Journal of Plant Physiology 27, 595–607.
| The role of biomass allocation in the growth response of plants to different levels of light, CO2, nutrients and water: a quantitative review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Poorter H, Niklas KJ, Reich PB, Oleksyn J, Poot P, Mommer L (2012) Biomass allocation to leaves, stems and roots: meta-analyses of interspecific variation and environmental control. New Phytologist 193, 30–50.
| Biomass allocation to leaves, stems and roots: meta-analyses of interspecific variation and environmental control.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ramírez RG, Haenlein GFW, García-Castillo CG, Núñez-González MA (2004) Protein, lignin and mineral contents and in situ dry matter digestibility of native Mexican grasses consumed by range goats. Small Ruminant Research 52, 261–269.
| Protein, lignin and mineral contents and in situ dry matter digestibility of native Mexican grasses consumed by range goats.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Robertson JB, van Soest PJ (1981) The detergent system of analysis. In ‘The analysis of dietary fibre in food’. (Eds WPT James, O Theander) pp. 123–158. (Marcel Dekker: New York)
Savadogo P, Tigabu M, Sawadogo L, Odén PC (2009) Herbaceous phytomass and nutrient concentrations of four grass species in Sudanian savanna woodland subjected to recurrent early fire. African Journal of Ecology 47, 699–710.
| Herbaceous phytomass and nutrient concentrations of four grass species in Sudanian savanna woodland subjected to recurrent early fire.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Schmitt CB, Kisangau D, Matheka KW (2019) Tree diversity in a human modified riparian forest landscape in semi-arid Kenya. Forest Ecology and Management 433, 645–655.
| Tree diversity in a human modified riparian forest landscape in semi-arid Kenya.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Snyman HA, Ingram LJ, Kirkman KP (2013) Themeda triandra: a keystone grass species. African Journal of Range & Forage Science 30, 99–125.
| Themeda triandra: a keystone grass species.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Stritzler NP, Pagella JH, Jouve VV, Ferri CM (1996) Semi-arid warm-season grass yield and nutritive value in Argentina. Journal of Range Management 49, 121–125.
| Semi-arid warm-season grass yield and nutritive value in Argentina.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Terry RA, Tilley JMA (1964) The digestibility of the leaves and stems of perennial rye grass, cocksfoot, Timothy, tall fescue, lucerne and sainfoin, as measured by an in vitro procedure. Grass and Forage Science 19, 363–372.
| The digestibility of the leaves and stems of perennial rye grass, cocksfoot, Timothy, tall fescue, lucerne and sainfoin, as measured by an in vitro procedure.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Tinoco-Ojanguren C, Reyes-Ortega I, Sánchez-Coronado ME, Molina-Freaner F, Orozco-Segovia A (2016) Germination of an invasive Cenchrus ciliaris L. (buffel grass) population of the Sonaran Desert under various environmental conditions. South African Journal of Botany 104, 112–117.
| Germination of an invasive Cenchrus ciliaris L. (buffel grass) population of the Sonaran Desert under various environmental conditions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Tran H, Salgado P, Lecomte P (2009) Species, climate and fertilizer effects on grass fibre and protein in tropical environments. The Journal of Agricultural Science 147, 555–568.
| Species, climate and fertilizer effects on grass fibre and protein in tropical environments.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Vohland K, Barry B (2009) A review of in situ rainwater harvesting (RWH) practices modifying landscape functions in African drylands. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 131, 119–127.
| A review of in situ rainwater harvesting (RWH) practices modifying landscape functions in African drylands.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wasonga VO, Ngugi RK, Kitalyi A (2003) Traditional range condition and trend assessment: lessons from Pokot and Il Chamus pastoralists of Kenya. The Anthropologist 5, 79–87.
| Traditional range condition and trend assessment: lessons from Pokot and Il Chamus pastoralists of Kenya.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Yan B, Ji Z, Fan B, Wang X, He G, Shi L, Liu G (2016) Plants adapted to nutrient limitation allocate less biomass into stems in a arid-hot grassland. New Phytologist 211, 1232–1240.
| Plants adapted to nutrient limitation allocate less biomass into stems in a arid-hot grassland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |