JOURNAL OF RANGELAND SCIENCE
Year:2018 | Volume:8 | Issue:1|Papers Count:11

The digestion and utilization of roughage by sheep depends on rumen digestion.The aim of this study was to evaluate the microbe quantity and fermentative efficiency of rumen supplement with molasses-urea. This experiment was conducted in 2014, eight sheep were selected and divided into two groups (a control group and a treatment group), and only the treatment group animals were supplied with molasses-urea for ad libitum consumption. Rumen fluid was collected every 2 h and rumen fermentation parameters were measured. The populations of majority bacteria were investigated by real-time PCR.The results showed that the populations of majority bacteria increased in the rumens of treatment group animals (P<0.05). Each bacterium quantity decreased gradually after feeding, and reached the lowest level 2 h after intake. It then slowly increased and reached the highest level at 8 h after intake. Finally, each bacterium quantity returned to the same level as before intake. In contrast, the protozoa number raised to the highest at 4 h after intake and declined gradually. The concentration of protozoa in the treatment group sheep was significantly higher than that of control group (P<0.05). The pH of rumen liquids was found in a normal range and was not different between both groups. However, the pH decreased from the highest level before feeding to the lowest level within 4 h, and it increased after intake for 8 h. The concentration of NH3-N and microbial crude protein (MCP) synthesis, in the rumen liquids, were both significantly higher than that of control group (P<0.05), the highest concentration of NH3-N and MCP was reached after feeding by 2 h and 4 h, respectively. Molasses-urea has a positive effect on the rumen, due to their favorable effect on rumen fermentation by the microbes in ruminant.

About this book: This book provides an overview of arid and semi-arid lands conditions, their general characteristics, and methods of management, conservation, exploitation, and reclamation. It also focuses on how to utilize the potential of arid lands with the minimum manipulation and alteration.....

Seasonal variability impact on livestock production and management stems from poor pasture quality and quantity as well as shortage of water. During wet season, there is usually sufficient quantity of pasture in good quality for animal consumption; but during dry season, there is always insufficient pasture as well as shortage of water for livestock consumption. As a result of these, exploration of resilience livestock production and management practices capable of enhancing animal performance during dry season becomes highly necessary. Based on the above background, a 12 weeks trial was carried out during January, February and March in 2015 to determine the effects of cassava bran plus fish processing waste supplement on body weight gain, blood composition and meat quality of West African Dwarf sheep at a location within Nigeria Southern Guinea Savannah. Twelve growing lambs were randomly allotted to three Treatments; each fed dried cassava peelad-libitum in addition to 0%, 1.5%, or 2.5% body weight equivalent quantity of the cassava bran-fish processing waste supplement throughout the feeding trial.Sheep fed control (0%) diet had negative body weight change (P<0.05). Sheep fed cassava bran-fish processing waste supplement at 2.5% body weight level had higher (P<0.05) body weight, nutrient composition and carcass yield. Treatment effects on sheep organoleptic properties and meat fatty-acids composition were significant (P<0.05). Our study established that cassava bran and fish processing waste are potential dry season feed resources suitable for growing lambs since it has no negative impact on the health of the animals and it promote growth and performance of the animals. We recommend further studies into full integration and improvement of diets prepare from cassava bran and fish processing waste for sheep feeding during dry season; also investigation into possibilities of incorporating fish processing waste into production of silage for growing lambs.

Changes in mineral concentrations with maturity often reflect increases in the proportion of stem to leaf with stems showing lower mineral concentrations than young leaves. The objective of this research was to assess the status of the macro mineral elements, Na, K, P, Ca and Mg in the dominant native species during the flowering and seed set stages of plant growth. This experiment was conducted at El Obeid Research Station Farm at Bannu area, Sheikan Locality, North Kordofan State, Sudan, over 2012/2013 seasons. The data indicated a higher content of macro minerals in forbs compared with grasses. Flowering stage showed higher concentrations of macro minerals compared with the seed set stage. It was concluded that the rangelands of North Kordofan State, containing a mixture of grasses and forbs, are good sources of macro minerals. It was considered that macro elements content in forbs and grasses in the study area is adequate for sheep, especially during the stage before plants set their seeds.

Rangelands are the most important ecosystem for carbon sequestration.Knowledge of plant response to grazing is one of important requirements for rangeland management. Stocking rate is one of main factors in destruction of the vegetation cover in rangeland ecosystems. Livestock grazing has the potential to substantially alter carbon storage in grassland ecosystem. This study examined the effects of grazing management on carbon sequestrations ofPrangos ferulacea as dominant species in summer rangeland of Gorgou summer rangelands in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province, Iran. Four sites with high, moderate, low and enclosure grazing intensity with stocking rates of 3.4, 2.9, 1.4 and 0 (Animal Unit/Ha), respectively were chosen for the study. Samples were collected from 50 plots of 1.5×1m2 in May 2014. In each site, the carbon content of aboveground and root biomass and litter were measured by ash method and soil carbon by Walcky-Black method. Results showed that stocking rate had a significant effect on carbon sequestration ofP. ferulacea for above and underground biomass, litter and soil carbon.For all of traits, the lowest carbon sequestration was obtained in high grazing intensity that had a significant difference with other sites. Enclosure and high grazing with average values of 42 and 6 (kg/ha) had the highest and lowest carbon sequestration amounts byP.ferulacea, respectively. Stocking rate of 2.9 (au/ha) was introduced as the suitable grazing intensity to protect the ability of carbon sequestration byP. ferulacea.

Rangeland vegetation dynamics can be affected by various natural and unnatural factors over time. The purpose of this study was to investigate the dynamics of vegetation under the climatic conditions and soil properties. Accordingly, data collection for evaluating vegetation dynamics in rangeland ecosystems of Ardabil province was conducted at three research sites including Moqan winter rangeland, and Nour and Aqdagh Khalkhal summer rangelands in 2009 followed for four years. Vegetation variables were measured using transects and sampling plots. Meanwhile, at the location of each plot, soil moisture was measured at two or three depths of 0-15, 15-30 and 30-45 cm using a Time-Domain Reflectometer (TDR). According to the results, in the Nour site, the changes recorded for shrubs such asOnobrychis cornuta L. and forbs were significant (P<0.01).However, the changes recorded for the perennial grasses includingAlopecurus aucheri L., Bromus tomentellusBoiss. Festuca ovina and Koeleria caucasica Trin. Ex Domin were not significant. In the Aqdagh site, the changes of perennial grasses includingAgropyron cristatum, Bromus tomentellus, Festuca ovina L. and Koeleria caucasica as well as forbs were significant (P<0.05). The changes of annuals were found significant (P<0.01). No significant differences were recorded for the shrubs such asOnobrychis cornuta and Thymus kotschyanus. In the Moqan site, the changes of dominant shrub (Artemisia fragrans) and annuals were significant (P<0.01). Soil moistures during the growing season and over the years were varied; however, the trend of changes in soil organic carbon was slow. Accordingly, the results of this monitoring process from year to year changes in the main species of vegetation, soil, and soil erosion can be useful as a guide to correct the current methods used for the management of rangelands.

Assessment and monitoring of rangeland in different grazing managements seems necessary to manage rangelands. The plant functional groups can be used as appropriate responders for rangelands condition and management. Therefore, this study was performed and aimed to determine the most important traits that are influenced by rangeland variation and management. In order to this, three areas along a grazing gradient including national parks, protected area and free grazing were selected in Tangsayad rangelands of Chaharmahal Bakhtiari Province, Iran in 2015. A 100 m transect was established randomly in each site and within it five plots of 4 m2 area at 20 m intervals along transects were determined systematically. Plant species were identified and vegetation cover was recorded in each plot. The number and size of plots and transects were determined regarding to semi-arid rangeland sampling guidelines as well as the dimension of dominant plant species in plant community. Finally, some traits as leaf dimension, plant biomass and cover of species were measured. The results showed that the traits such as leaf length, leaf width, leaf area and leaf weight, grass growth forms and life forms of Hemicryptophyes and Geophytes had significant differences at least in one of three grazing managements sites (P<0.05). Also Principal Component Analyses (PCA) showed that traits as yield, overall weight of plants and perennial plants had high correlation with the first component and the traits such as leaf length, leaf width, leaf area, Hemicryptophyes had also high correlation with the second component. In general conclusion; leaf traits as leaf length, leaf width, leaf area and leaf weight, grass growth form, Hemicryptophytes and Geophytes life forms were introduced as good indicators for assessing and monitoring of grazing management.

As far as Iran is concerned in arid and semi-arid region and amount of water is limited, improvement of water consuming is very important. One of the ways for storing water is to use superabsorbent polymer. So, this research compared normal and deficit irrigation methods by considering the effects of stockosorb (0.1% and 0.3% by volume) and zeolite (10 weight% and 15 weight%) in two sandy soils (70% and 80%) on soil physicochemical characteristics (EC, pH, field capacity, available water, wilting point, bulk density, practical density, porosity, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) and plant morphological traits (plant height, basal area, large and small diameter of canopy) of Atriplex lentiformis(Torr.) S.Wats. The research was carried out in the field of desert research centre in Semnan Province in 2013. A split factorial experiment based on a randomized complete block design with four replications was used. Data were analyzed using SPSS16 software. The result showed that superabsorbent had a significant effect on plant height, large and small diameter of canopy. Also, superabsorbent had a significant effect on EC, pH, field capacity, available water, bulk density, porosity, K. However, they had no significant effect on wilting point, soil particle density, P and N. Also, the result of economical investigation of stockosorb and zeolite showed that using 10 wt% zeolite, 15 wt% zeolite and 0.1% stockosorb with normal irrigation is economical.

This research is an integration of GIS and multi-criteria decision making into a joint framework for identifying suitable areas for rainwater harvesting structures. The Kavir National park in Iran has been evaluated for suitability of rainwater harvesting. To this end, slope gradient, distance to guarding stations, distance to watering points for transporting collected water, distribution of wildlife species of interest, access to roads, evaporation, elevation, water scarcity index, and annual precipitation during rainy season were incorporated. Data collection and field visits took place during 2014-2015. Rainwater harvesting in this area is primarily intended forOvis orientalis, Gazella dorcas and Acinonyx jubatusknown as Persian Cheetah. The primary layers were standardized using a proper Fuzzy Membership Function, which assigns a weight between 0 and 1 to each layer, to include the inherent tradeoff between data layers in producing the final suitability map.The results suggested that precipitation and water scarcity (each by the relative weights of 0.3 and 0.2, respectively) were the most influential factors. The northern foothills of the Mount Siahkouh have shown to hold the highest suitability for rainwater harvesting. The suitability changes from lower than 100 to the east to higher than 200 to the west. The result of this study might be used to guide future endeavors for rainwater harvesting for wildlife on the ground. The methodology adopted here could be replicated in other studies with respect to its simplicity and practicality. This is recommended to run pilot small-scale rainwater harvesting practices and receive the outcomes and then, in case of a positive feedback, extend its application to other areas identified in this research.

Germination represents a fundamental stage of plant life highly responsive to change of environmental conditions. Low germination percent and seedling establishment are basic problems in saline regions. One of the sensitive stages of plants to salinity is the germination stage. This study was conducted using a factorial experiment with three factors such as species with two levels (Thymus vulgaris L. and Thymus daenensis Celak), nanosilver in 4 levels (0, 10, 20 and 30 ml) and salinity in 4 levels (0, 100, 200 and 300 mM NaCl) using a completely randomized design in four replications in University of Kashan, Iran in 2016. Results showed that the interaction among species, salinity and nanoparticles was significant only for germination rate (P≤0.01). Silver nanoparticles increased germination percent, germination rate and root length up to 200 mM sanity, but they enhanced seed vigor and shoot length up to 100 mM salinity as compared to the control treatment. In 100 mM salt concentration, the 20 and 30 mL nano-silvers wereeffective, but for 200 mM salinity, the application of 10 mL nano-silver was effective.