علوم مراتع
سال:1400 | دوره:11 | شماره:4 |تعداد مقالات:8

The rangeland potentials in Kupang regency, Indonesia, were evaluated by determining forages distribution, forages nutritional value, and growth performance of the cattle grazed or fed with forages grown in the area. Several rangelands namely Amarasi, Mamar Kering, and Selobua were evaluated for its forages’,distribution from November to December 2015, while the reared cattle growth performance was observed for 12 months, starting from May 2016 to April 2017. A purposive sampling method was done to determine the forage distribution and a total of 22 cattle that fed in the areas were evaluated for its growth performances. The observed variables include forages distribution, nutritional value of the forages and cattle ration, feed intake (FI) and average daily gain (ADG) of the cattle. The forages distribution data were analyzed descriptively, while forages nutritional value and cattle growth were analyzed with nested ANOVA followed with LSD test to determine significant differences. The results showed that Mamar Kering had more plant species (77 species) compared to Amarasi (62 species) and Selobua (53 species) rangelands. The combination of Amarasi and Mamar Kering provides better forage availability (91. 64%) compared to individual rangeland utilization (58. 67 to 79. 8%). The results also showed that different rangelands had a highly significant difference (P<0. 01) on the neutral detergent fiber (NDF) of the forages, but no significant difference (P>0. 05) difference was found for crude protein, feed intake and ADG of the cattle. Moreover, the highest ADG cattle were found for Amarasi and Mamar Kering which reached 0. 30 kg/cattle/day. The research concludes that the combination of Amarasi and Mamar Kering rangelands provide higher forage availability and better cattle growth compared to individual or another rangelands combination, with adjustment of forages and cattle ratio should be done to achieve efficient cattle production.

The study was conducted to collect germplasm and identify appropriate seed treatment technique to enhance germination of Bouffordia dichotoma syn. Desmodium dichotomum, which is self-generating wild legume forage growing in eastern Amhara (North Wollo, South Wollo and Oromia Special Zones), Ethiopia. Twenty six Desmodium dichotomum seed populations (1000 seeds from each) were collected in 2018 from fields using Ethiopian biodiversity institute sample population collection format by considering agro ecological similarity and physical barrier to genetic mixing. The samples were collected from sorghum growing farm-lands. Breaking of dormancy in seeds of Desmodium dichotomum collections was investigated through laboratory experiment to elucidate the best method that can be used to enhance germination of the seed. To test the effectiveness of pre sowing treatments on germination of Desmodium dichotomum collected seed lots, the following treatments were imposed under a completely randomized design with 3 replications of 60 seeds each: mechanical scarification by sand paper,boiled water at 100oC for 4 minutes,and untreated seeds as control. Germination percentage was highest (p < 0. 05) for scarification (99. 4%) followed by boiled water (79. 15%) and untreated seeds (36. 58%), respectively. Mechanical scarification greatly reduced germination time as most seeds (68. 7%) sprouted in the first 5 days and germination was completed at day 9. Similarly, boiled water made sprout the seeds in the first 5 days (65%) and completed germination at day 10. However, non-treated seeds had started to germinate at day 12 (1%). Scarification by sand paper was quite effective in increasing germination of Desmodium dichotomum collected seeds. Further improvements in germination of Desmodium dichotomum could be expected in different boiling water temperature with different minutes and acid treatment methods.

Pastoralism contributes significantly to the national economy and livelihoods of pastoralists in Ethiopia. However, socio-ecologically considerable variations exist between pastoral systems of the country in terms of the drivers they are currently experiencing and the impact of these drivers. This study was conducted in Fentale district, Ethiopia, to understand the perceived transitions of the pastoral system and the key factors driving this transition over the last two decades. Data were collected (2013/4) through a household survey (n = 60), focus group discussions, and key informant interviews. The results showed that the decline in livestock holding per household (4. 90) and livestock mobility (4. 41), expansion of cultivation (4. 83), degradation of rangeland (4. 79), and migration (4. 26) were perceived to occur. The perceived transformations in the pastoral system were primarily driven by population growth (4. 81), land (4. 76) and water shortage (4. 29), adoption of cultivation (4. 67), and climate change (3. 78). The complex nature of pastoral development makes the isolation of root causes of transformation in the pastoral systems more difficult. The combined effects of the observed transitions and their drivers had been driving pastoralists into non-livestock-based livelihood strategies. Such diversification indicated that livestock alone would not sustainably maintain the livelihood of pastoralists. The intensification of livestock production is also being adopted by pastoralists as a coping strategy for the perceived transitions. The pastoral system needs to be supported by policies that are consistent with existing situations and future expectations. Therefore, an enabling policy environment considering livestock intensification and economic diversification need to put into place. However, a holistic understanding of a pastoral system and its transition and the likely trade-offs associated with different livelihood strategies in this system is a prerequisite.