Morphometric characteristics of sheep and goat fed silage comprising of cassava peel, gamba grass and Mexican sunflower

The constant demand for less expensive and more easily available alternative feed sources for animal production is on the increase. This is particularly true in the tropics, where feed availability varies according to the season. Based on this necessity, this study aims to evaluate the impact of feeding silage to sheep and goats on growth and development. A total of 22 animals comprising of 11 Yankassa breed and 11 West African Dwarf breed were used for the study. The animals were confined and allowed to acclimatize to the environment for about 14 to 21 days, followed by 5 weeks of study. The forage used for silage was Gamba grass (Andropogon gayanus) and Mexican sunflower (Tithonia diversifolia) mixed with equal amounts of cassava peel and molasses in different proportions for three different treatments. Body length, neck circumference, height at withers, heart girth, and body weight were significantly higher (p<0.05) in animals fed T3 diets compared to all other diets, while animals on the T2 diet had higher ear length than T3. Except for neck circumference, ear length, and bodyweight of animals raised on diet T1 and the control group were statistically similar, all the test groups were significantly better than the control group in terms of performance. The highest body weight of 16.74 kg was recorded in T3, followed by 15.97 kg in T2, 12.12 kg in T1, and the least value of 10.09 kg in the control group. No apparent adverse effects were noted in the feeding of silage to the animals as the animals were healthy throughout the duration of the study. More research on the use of silage in feeding indigenous goat and sheep breeds is needed to further understand the impact of silage on animal performance and morphometric traits.

Composición nutricional de seis gramíneas tropicales del estado de Jalisco, México

El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la composición química de seis gramíneas forrajeras para el trópico húmedo y seco mexicano: Andropogon gayanus, Andropogon gerardii, Cenchrus ciliaris, Chloris gayana, Megathyrsus maximus y Urochloa brizantha. Las muestras se colectaron en noviembre de 2019, en Tonaya, Jalisco, México. Se determinaron: materia seca, cenizas, proteína cruda (total e insoluble), extracto etéreo, fibra detergente neutro, fibra detergente ácido, hemicelulosa, lignina y celulosa. La evaluación se realizó en el Laboratorio de Nutrición Animal del Departamento de Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma Chapingo, Texcoco, Estado de México. Cada gramínea se evaluó por triplicado y cada repetición se consideró como unidad experimental. Las medias de composición química fueron separadas mediante la prueba de Tukey (p < 0.05). La correlación entre cada par de variables (p < 0.05) se estimó mediante el coeficiente de Pearson (p < 0.05). A mayor porcentaje de proteína total (p < 0.05) menor porcentaje de extracto etéreo y mayores porcentajes de cenizas y de proteína insoluble. Además, a mayor porcentaje de proteína insoluble, menor porcentaje de lignina (p < 0.05). Probablemente, la proteína se concentra en su fracción insoluble a expensas del extracto etéreo y la lignina. Consecuentemente, gran-tallo-azul (Andropogon gerardii) mostró porcentajes altos de proteína total (10.27%) y cenizas (7.88%), y bajos de lignina (5.23%) y extracto etéreo (1.37%); pero su proteína insoluble no fue tan elevada (2.06%) como la de guinea (Megathyrsus maximus) (6.08%). Por tanto, A. gerardii tuvo el mejor contenido nutricional a los 35 días de rebrote.

Effect of Plant Species on the Performance and Bacteria Density Profile in Vertical Flow Constructed Wetlands for Domestic Wastewater Treatment in a Tropical Climate

Bacteria are frequently studied due to their involvement in pollutants transformation processes during wastewater treatment. In this study, the treatment efficiency, bacteria densities and their vertical profile were investigated in pilot-scale vertical flow constructed wetlands (VFCW) planted with different plant species under a tropical climate in west Africa. Five beds were planted with local plant species, i.e., Andropogon gayanus, Chrysopogon zizanioides, Echinochloa pyramidalis, Pennisetum purpureum and Tripsacum laxum, while one bed remained unplanted. These species have been rarely used in CWs while some (e.g., T. laxum) are tested for the first time. After a 7-month trial, bacteria densities were measured in substrate samples separated into six layers along the bed depth. Plants presence enhanced the bacterial density and VFCW efficiency; the removal rates of organic matter (90.9–95.9%; COD and 95.2–98.5%; BOD5), nitrogen (74.3–84%; TN and 76–84%; NH4-N) and phosphorus (77.4–96.9%; PO4-P) were higher by 5.9–24.1% compared to the control bed, providing an overall excellent treatment performance for a single-stage VFCW system. Small numbers of anaerobic bacteria were obtained in the VFCWs, explaining the low-to-zero NO3-N removal, except for the VFCWs with T. laxum and P. purpureum. Aerobic bacteria decreased from the upper to bottom layers from 17.4 to 0.1 × 106 CFU/g in the planted beds, while anaerobic bacteria increased from 0.1 to 2.1 × 106 CFU/g. Anaerobic bacteria were more abundant in the unplanted than in the planted beds. The total bacteria count was dominated by aerobic bacteria, and decreased from the surface towards the bottom. Overall, the VFCW with P. purpureum demonstrated the highest efficiency, indicating that this design is an effective and sustainable nature-based solution for wastewater treatment in a tropical climate.

Foliar anatomical studies of Andropogon gayanus - Andropogon tectorum complex in Southwestern Nigeria

Foliar epidermal studies were carried out on accessions of Andropogon gayanus-Andropogon tectorum complex collected in Southwestern Nigeria with a view to providing additional characters of the two species of Andropogon to enhance the understanding of the taxonomic relationship between the two species. The epidermal preparation of the adaxial and abaxial surfaces of the leaf blade was made from the median part of well-matured leaf samples by the scrapping method. The analysis of both qualitative and quantitative characters revealed that study revealed that the costal zones of both adaxial and abaxial surfaces of all accessions studied showed similar features with little or no variation in their expression; epidermal cells are mostly rectangular with wavy walls, and the stomata encountered are paracytic. There was a unique occurrence of cluster of cells at the base of the macro hairs present in A. gayanus which is a diagnostic feature for its accessions collected. Kiwani, an unidentified polyploid accession, has the highest number of bands, the stomata are bigger, which is consistent with gigas effect occasioned by its polyploidy status. Glandular trichomes were present in both diploid and tetraploid of A. tectorum, a diagnostic feature for the species.

Endosperm starch grains of Andropogon, Arthraxon hispidus, and Hyparrhenia rufa (Andropogoneae, Panicoideae, Poaceae)

Background and Aims: Grasses have five different types of endosperm starch grain morphology. Even though there is high diversity within the family, the morphology of the starch grains is generally represented by one or two species. Some genera, such as Andropogon (Andropogoneae), were reported to have at least three types of starch grains. However, most of the reviewed species were transferred to other genera. Therefore, the question whether the genus has one or more types of starch grain morphology remains unanswered. Methods: Between four and eight mature caryopses were removed from specimens deposited in the herbarium IEB for most species, as well as from plants monitored in the field until they had mature caryopses. The caryopses were attached on a plate with a drop of white adhesive Resistol® or resin and then sectioned with a razor blade. Sections were stained with a drop of diluted Lugol´s solution, microscopically observed and photographed at several magnifications. Key results: All Andropogon species observed have only one type of starch grain morphology, the Andropogon-type. In all species the simple starch grains are much more abundant than the compound ones, except in A. tenuispatheus where the ratio is inverted. The other two reviewed species, Arthraxon hispidus and Hyparrhenia rufa have Andropogon-type and Panicum-type starch grains, respectively. Conclusions: It is confirmed that, so far, all Andropogon species observed have one type (Andropogon-type) of endosperm starch grain morphology. There is variation in the size, size distribution and shape of the starch grains among the species. Andropogon gayanus is the only reviewed species with large starch grains reaching 28 µm, whereas those in the other species measure up to 15 µm in diameter.

Urochloa brizantha E Andropogon gayanus EM MONOCULTIVO E CONSÓRCIO SOB DIFERENTES NÍVEIS DE ADUBAÇÃO

No Tocantins as condições climáticas são favoráveis para cultivo de plantas forrageiras, possibilitando elevada produtividade agrícola. Sendo assim, para solucionar problemas como manejo incorreto de aplicação de espécies forrageiras, insere-se o Sistema de Plantio Direto (SPD). Este trabalho objetivou avaliar o crescimento e tempo de meia vida em braquiarão e andropogon em sistemas de monocultivo e em consórcio sob três níveis de adubação. O experimento ocorreu sob um Latossolo Vermelho distrófico, submetido a 13 anos de cultivo, sendo: 8 anos sob sistema convencional com o uso gradagem aradora e gradagem niveladora; 2 anos sob cultivo mínimo com o uso de subsolador e gradagem niveladora posteriormente e 3 anos sob sistema de plantio direto em profundidade de 0 a 20 cm. As espécies braquiarão e andropogon em consórcio verificou maior altura quando foi aplicado 20% da adubação química e este consórcio influenciou na permanência por maior tempo na superfície do solo, no entanto a adubação ajudou na decomposição da palhada conforme o tempo de meia-vida. Em sistema consórcio a altura das plantas favoreceram em 20% de adubação; o milheto em monocultivo apresentou maior crescimento em altura e o sorgo teve um desempenho inferior e a adubação influenciou na redução do tempo de meia vida dos sistemas de produção

Resilience strategies of West African pastoralists in response to scarce forage resources

Finding sufficient natural fodder resources to feed livestock has become a challenge for herders in the Sahel zone of Burkina Faso. Despite the existence of pastoral reserves, the issue of fodder shortage remains unsolved. This article highlights the changes in behaviour and the evolution of pastoral practices caused by the scarcity of forage resources. These changes are defined and classified as resilience strategies. Thus, this paper aims to analyse these strategies using new semantics that calls for other forms of perceptions or approach to the questions of pastoralists’ resilience strategies. Interviews (semi-structured and casual conversations), ethnographic observations and ethnobotanical surveys were used to collect data. In rangelands, such high value fodder species as Andropogon gayanus, Pennisetum pedicellatum and Dactyloctenium aegyptium that were abundant herbaceous plants during the last decades are disappearing. Concomitantly, species with lower forage value, such as Senna obtusifolia, which are more resilient to ecological disturbance factors, are colonizing rangelands. Faced with these ecological changes, pastoralists are trying to redefine and reconfigure their practices, and this implies a redefinition of their identity. They use resilience strategies such as mowing grasses, building up fodder bundles, conserving crop residues, exploiting Senna obtusifolia (a previously neglected species), using woody fodder and adapting the type of livestock and the size of the herds to the ability of pastoralists to feed them. Strategies that are older than these are the integration of agriculture with livestock and decollectivized transhumance. It is these resilience strategies that this article exposes and analyses as defence mechanisms of Sahelian pastoralists in the face of the depletion of forage resources in their environments.

Bacterial Biomass Effect on Performance Improving of Vertical Flow Constructed Wetlands for Domestic Wastewater Treatment

Bacteria are frequently studied in constructed wetlands (CWs) due to their effective involvement in pollutants purification processes. In this study, aerobic, anaerobic and total bacteria densities and their vertical distribution profile within pilot-scale vertical flow CWs planted with different plant species were investigated. Five beds were planted in monoculture with Andropogon gayanus, Chrysopogon zizanioides, Echinochloa pyramidalis, Pennisetum purpureum and Tripsacum laxum, and one unplanted bed was used as control. At the end of the treatment trial, bacteria were collected by taking cores of sediment samples at the corners and the center of each bed following six layers in the vertical profile. In fact, the presence of plants on CWs improved the bacterial density and removal efficiencies in the system, with yields from 5.9 to 24.1% regardless the pollutant. However, few anaerobic bacteria were obtained in the different wetlands, and unable to reduce NO3−, excluding for beds planted with T. laxum and P. purpureum. Besides, the number of aerobic bacteria determined decreased (i.e., 17.4 106 to 0.1 106 CFU.g− 1), while that of anaerobic bacteria increased (i.e., 0.1 106 to 2.1 106 CFU.g− 1) from the upper to the bottom layers in the planted beds. Otherwise, anaerobic bacteria were more abundant in the control than in planted beds. Then, total bacteria were dominated by aerobic bacteria, and decreased from surface toward the bottom. As P purpureum promotes the best performance, CWs with this type of plant could be a cost-effective alternative method of treating wastewater.

Diversité floristique, structure et distribution des groupements végétaux des parcours d’accueil des transhumants dans la Basse et Moyenne Vallée de l’Ouémé au Bénin

La perte de la biodiversité végétale, liée à la dégradation des parcours est l’un des défis pour les pays d’accueil des transhumants. La présente étude visait à analyser les caractéristiques structurales et la diversité floristique des groupements végétaux dans la Basse et Moyenne Vallée de l’Ouémé (BMVO). Les données phytosociologiques, collectées dans 113 relevés selon la méthode de Braun-Blanquet (1932), ont été soumises à une DCA avec le logiciel R 3.3.2. Ainsi, 173 espèces regroupées dans 127 genres et 45 familles ont été recensées. Au total, 4 groupements végétaux ont été identifiés : les groupements GI à Andropogon gayanus var squamulatus et Mitragyna inermis ; GII à Paspalum notatum et Aeollanthus pubescens ; GIII à Panicum maximum et Calopogonium mucunoides et le groupement végétal GIV à Tridax procumbens et Daniellia oliveri. La diversité floristique est liée à la topographie, la nature du sol et son humidité, et l’intensité d’exploitation des terres. Les thérophytes et les phanérophytes ont été les plus abondants dans tous les groupements. Par contre, les hémicryptophytes ont été plus dominants dans le groupement GI. Les espèces à large distribution et à distribution continentale ont été plus abondantes et dominantes dans tous les groupements. Cette recherche servira de base pour l’analyse de la dynamique de la végétation des terres de parcours de la BMVO. Mots clés : Parcours, facteurs écologiques, types biologiques, types phytogéographiques, Bénin.

Clitoria ternatea (butterfly-pea).

Genetics: The chromosome number reported for C. ternatea varies from 2n = 14 to 2n = 16 (Gandhi and Patil, 1993; Flora of China Editorial Committee, 2016). Breeding system: Flowers of C. ternatea are cleistogamous, but a small level of outcrossing occurs and most flowers are self-pollinated. In the wild, flowers are visited by insects, primarily bees (Staples, 1992). Physiology and Phenology: C. ternatea is a perennial climbing, scrambling or trailing herb with a strong woody rootstock. Individual plants may live for several years and grow into large vines if undisturbed. C. ternatea shows epigeal germination. The radicle emerges within 48-72 hours and seedlings emerge in 3-6 days. Early growth is rapid in warm moist conditions. This fast-growing herb can cover the ground in 4-6 weeks when sown at a population of 4 plants/m2 (Staples, 1992; Cook et al., 2005). Growth of established plants is mostly from the apices of the main axis and axillary branches; very few new shoots arise from ground level. Growth is more or less continuous in the tropics (Staples, 1992; Cook et al., 2005).In China, C. ternatea has been recorded flowering and fruiting from June to November (Flora of China Editorial Committee, 2016). In Panama, it has been collected with flowers in February, April, July, August and November (Flora of Panama, 2016). In Costa Rica, flowering can occur throughout the year (Missouri Botanical Garden, 2016). Pods mature in 8-10 weeks after flowering and break readily once fully dry. Hand-harvested seed often remains hard-seeded for a long time and requires scarification prior to sowing. Mechanical abrasion, hot water or sulphuric acid can be used to break this dormancy (Staples, 1992; Cook et al., 2005; FAO, 2016). Associations: As with other nitrogen-fixing legumes, C. ternatea has a symbiotic relationship with Rhizobium bacteria (Cook et al., 2005). In cultivation, C. ternatea has been grown successfully with Pennisetum purpureum, Digitaria eriantha, Andropogon gayanus, Dichanthium aristatum, Cenchrus ciliaris, Chloris gayana, Sorghum bicolor, and Megathyrsus maximum (Cook et al., 2005). Environmental Requirements: C. ternatea prefers to grow in humid and sub-humid habitats at elevations from sea level to 1600-1800 m and mean annual temperature ranging from 15 to 28°C (Staples, 1992). It is adapted to a wide range of soil types from sandy to deep alluvial loams and heavy clays with pH ranging from 5.5 to 8.9 (McCosker and Osten, 1999; FAO, 2016). This species shows drought tolerance and it is able to grow in dry and semiarid habitats with annual rainfall ranging from 500 to 900 mm and survive for up to 5-6 months with only 400 mm of rainfall. C. ternatea also shows moderate frost tolerance and some tolerance to salinity conditions. This species does not tolerate flooding or waterlogging. It is normally grown in full sunlight but moderately shade-tolerant (Staples, 1992; Cook et al., 2005; FAO, 2016).