AVAILABILITY OF FEED RESOURCES, UTILIZATION, BIOMASS YIELD, SEASONAL AND AGROECOLOGICAL DYNAMICS IN NUTRITIONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF INDIGENOUS BROWSE SPECIES FOR RUMINANTS IN EASTERN ZONE OF T

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Abstract:

The study was conducted to assess the availability of feed resources, major constraints of ruminant production, identify the major indigenous browse species (IBS) in the area, characterizing their local utilization, chemical composition, degradability and biomass yield in two agro-ecologies (Midland and highland)in the eastern zone of Tigray in northern Ethiopia. A semi structured questionnaire was used at community and household levels and a total of 270 respondents (180 from highland 90 from midland) participated in the study. A total of 20 IBS foliage (10 from highland and 10 from Midland) were collected during the wet and dry seasons for chemical composition, in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) and (top 5 from highland and top 5 from midland) separately for in sacco dry matter digestibility studies during both seasons. The availability, abundance, distribution and habitats of the IBS varied between the two agro- ecologies. Significant (P < 0.001) variations were observed for chemical composition, Degradability, minerals and biomass yield for main effects, two way and three way interactions. Significant (P < 0.001) variations were noted for IBS biomass yield. Leaf collected from Ficus vasta gave the highest biomass yield (10640.7 kg/plant) than the other IBS from the midland where as Ficus thonninghii was highest (392.9Kg/plant) from highland. Significant (PRumex vernosus > Ficus thonninghii > Acacia etbaica > Rhus vulgaris, where as in midland agro ecology Faidherbia albida > Cordia africana >Acacia etbaica > Dodonaea angustifolia > Ekebergia capensis.

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AVAILABILITY OF FEED RESOURCES, UTILIZATION, BIOMASS YIELD, SEASONAL AND AGROECOLOGICAL DYNAMICS IN NUTRITIONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF INDIGENOUS BROWSE SPECIES FOR RUMINANTS IN EASTERN ZONE OF T

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