I SCREENING of INDIGENOUS FORAGE LEGUMES AS POTENTIAL FODDER CROPS and PROTEIN SOURCE for LIVESTOCK in CENTRAL NAMIBIA a THESIS
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i SCREENING OF INDIGENOUS FORAGE LEGUMES AS POTENTIAL FODDER CROPS AND PROTEIN SOURCE FOR LIVESTOCK IN CENTRAL NAMIBIA A THESIS SUBMITTED IN FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN AGRICULTURE (ANIMAL SCIENCE) OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NAMIBIA BY Mr. Lukas T. Kaholongo Student Number: 200419714 March 2016 Main Supervisor: Dr. Emmanuel Lutaaya Co-supervisor: Mr. Absalom Kahumba ii ABSTRACT The objective of the study was to screen indigenous forage legumes found in central Namibia and evaluate their potential as fodder and protein source for livestock. The growth rate, biomass yield and nutritional value of four indigenous legumes (Otoptera burchellii, Vigna lobatifolia, Crotalaria argyraea and Cullen tomentosum) and four improved legumes (Lablab purpureus, Medicago sativa, Canavalia ensiformis and Vigna unguiculata) were evaluated in a split-plot design with Single superphosphate at varying levels (0, 60, 80 and 100 kg P/ha). Fertilizer application up to 80 kg P/ha increased biomass and 100-seed weight; responses for O. burchellii were however inconsistent. The legumes differed (P < 0.05) in biomass yield; least square means (tons/ha) were: L. purpureus (8.9 0.3), V. lobatifolia (1.5 0.4), O. burchellii (2.5 0.3), V. unguiculata (4.4 0.3), C. tomentosum (5.1 0.4), C. ensiformis (4.0 0.3) and M. sativa (4.7 0.3). The 100-seed weight increased as P fertilizer level increased. The CP, ADF, NDF, ash and calcium differed (P < 0.05). The least square means for CP (% DM) at bloom stage were: L. purpureus (21.9 0.3), V. lobatifolia (18.9 0.4), O. burchellii (21.3 0.3), V. unguiculata (18.90.3), C. tomentosum (20.90.3), C. ensiformis (20.40.3) and M. sativa (26.90.3). NDF ranged from 30.5 ± 1.6 to 42.4 ± 1.8 % DM. Phosphorus content was similar (P ˃ 0.05) among legumes. L. Purpureus and the indigenous legumes O. burchellii and V. lobatifolia have potential as fodder and protein source ipso facto could contribute substantially to improving nutrition of ruminants in central Namibia. Key words: Forage legumes, biomass, ruminants, fodder, rangeland, indigenous iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Pages ABSTRACT ......................................................................................................................ii TABLE OF CONTENT………………………………………………………………...iii LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................... ix TABLE OF FIGURES ...................................................................................................... x DEDICATION ................................................................................................................. xi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................xii DECLARATION .......................................................................................................... xiii CHAPTER 1 ..................................................................................................................... 1 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Background information .............................................................................. 1 1.2 Statement of the problem ............................................................................. 4 1.3 Objectives of the study ................................................................................. 5 1.3.1 Overall objective: ......................................................................................... 5 1.3.2 Specific objectives ....................................................................................... 5 1.3.3 Hypotheses of the study ............................................................................... 6 1.4 Significance of the study .............................................................................. 6 CHAPTER 2 ..................................................................................................................... 8 iv LITERATURE REVIEW ............................................................................................... 8 2.1 Livestock farming ........................................................................................ 8 2.2 Rainfall and its influence on livestock production ....................................... 8 2.3 Farmers survival strategies against drought ................................................. 9 2.4 Forages ....................................................................................................... 11 2.5 Leguminosae as a good fit ......................................................................... 12 2.6 Importance of legumes in animal production as a reason for investigating their potential ............................................................................................................ 14 2.7 The latent attributes of indigenous forage legumes ................................... 17 2.8 Choosing which forage legumes to grow as prospective fodder crops ...... 18 2.9 Influence of nutritional content of the feed on livestock production ......... 19 2.10 Chemical analysis and nutritive value of fodder crops .............................. 23 2.11 Characteristics of selected forage legumes as potential fodder crops ........ 25 2.11.1 Lablab purpureus ........................................................................................... 25 2.11.2 Canavalia ensiformis ..................................................................................... 26 2.11.3 Cullen tomentosum ........................................................................................ 27 2.11.4 Otoptera burchellii ........................................................................................ 27 2.11.5 Vigna unguiculata .......................................................................................... 28 2.11.6 Medicago sativa ............................................................................................. 29 v 2.12 Silage as a form of animal fodder preservation ......................................... 30 2.13 Pasture improvement through over-sowing of natural pastures with legumes ……………………………………………………………………………34 2.14 Response of forage legumes to phosphorus application ............................ 36 2.15 SPAD – 502 as a measure of chlorophyll content...................................... 38 2.16 Forage legume studies done in other countries .......................................... 39 2.17 Biomass yield of forage legumes ............................................................... 41 2.18 Constraints associated with the establishment of forage legumes ............. 42 2.19 Propagation of forage legumes................................................................... 44 2.20 Scarification of legume seeds .................................................................... 45 CHAPTER 3 ................................................................................................................... 47 METHODOLOGY ....................................................................................................... 47 3.1 Research design .......................................................................................... 47 3.2 Study site .................................................................................................... 47 3.3 Population .................................................................................................. 49 3.4 Sample ........................................................................................................ 49 3.5 Research instruments ................................................................................. 50 3.6 Research procedures................................................................................... 50 vi 3.6.3.1 Measurements of forage legume characteristics (growth rate, biomass yield and seed weight) for trial A1 .................................................................................... 56 3.6.4 Experiment A2: Determination of the nutritional values of forage legumes [Objective (iv)] ......................................................................................................... 58 3.6.4.1 Moisture determination .............................................................................. 58 3.6.4.2 Nitrogen and calculation of crude protein .................................................. 59 3.6.4.3 Crude fiber determination .......................................................................... 59 3.6.4.4 ADF determination..................................................................................... 60 3.6.4.5 NDF determination..................................................................................... 61 3.6.4.6 Ash determination ...................................................................................... 61 3.6.4.7 Mineral determination (phosphorus and calcium) ..................................... 62 3.6.5 Experiment A3: Ensiling characteristics of the forage legumes [Objective (v)] ……………………………………………………………………………63 3.7 Data analysis .............................................................................................. 64 CHAPTER 4 ................................................................................................................... 66 RESULTS ....................................................................................................................