NATIVE TREES AND SHRUBS AND THEIR POTENTIALS FOR FODDER IN THE TRADITIONAL SILVOPASTORAL SYSTEM OF ADAMAWA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study was carried out to assess the diversity of tree species in the grazing reserves, identify the most relished and utilized browse species, evaluate their potentials for fodder production and to test the possibility of using them in intensive animal production. Transects of 1100m in length with a distance of at least 500m between them were used in the study site. Sample plots of 25m × 25m in dimension were laid in alternate positions along each transect at 250m interval. All the trees/shrub encountered in each of the sample plots were identified by their botanical names. All tree/shrub species with potential for fodder were identified. Biodiversity indices were estimated using appropriate formula. To assess farmers’ preferred fodder trees species, data was derived from the use of pre tested questionnaire. A multistage and stratified sampling technique was used in the selection of the farmers. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics and inference was drawn using Chi Square, t-test and analysis of variance. For determination of nutritional quality of the fodder species, leaves of three farmers’ preferred fodder trees/shrubs species were harvested from existing grazing reserves at the onset of the raining season. The detailed nutritional and anti-nutritional contents were analyzed using the standard methods. To determine effects of fodder species on goat, eighteen (18) growing West African Dwarf goats were used. The animals were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments. The dietary treatments consisted of the control (Dried Brewer’s Grain+Cowpea husk), and the browse foliage of the three preferred trees/shrubs by farmers as the supplements. The goats were fed at the rate of 3.5% of their body weight per day and were weighed weekly. The daily output of faeces and urine were recorded for each goat and also sampled for laboratory analysis. The data that was generated on the performance indices was subjected to Analysis of Variance using the General Linear Model procedures of SAS. Significant differences between means were compared using the Fishers’ LSD. The results of floristic diversity showed that the two sites were rich in tree and shrub species diversity. This was supported by the values obtained for Shannon-Weinner diversity indices (3.00, 2.70), Marlalef index of species richness (6.51, 4.58), Species evenness (0.40, 0.32), Simpson’s index (0.86, 0.96), Minhinck’s index (1.16, 0.57) and Shannon’s maximum diversity (7.53, 8.51) in Nyibango and Gongoshi forest grazing reserves respectively. The farmers classified the browse species according to their availability, their nutritive value, and several other usages. Species were ranked in this order of preferences Ficus sycomorus>Vitellaria paradoxa>Anogeissus leiocarpus>Prosopis africana>Khaya senegalensis>Entada africana>Piliostigma thonningii>Annona senegalensis) with Ficus sycomorus having the highest score. The crude protein (%CP) content was 16.62, 14.20 and 15.89 % dry matter (DM) and the neutral detergent fibre content 49.58, 48.59 and 45.16 % DM for Ficus sycomorus, Vitellaria paradoxa and Anogeissus leiocarpus leaves, respectively. The highest dry matter intake was of the Ficus sycomorusleaves diet (156.85g/d/goat) and the lowest of the Vitellaria paradoxaleaves diet (55.05g/d/goat). The leaves of Ficus sycomorus had the highest digestibility of CP, followed by Anogeissus leiocarpus while Vitellaria paradoxa had lowest digestibility. Goats fed Ficus sycomorus leaves supplement showed higher growth rate (70.49 g/day) followed by Anogeissus leiocarpus (64.88 g/day) while Vitellaria paradoxa recorded the lowest (60.42 g/day), respectively. Based on the partial budget and marginal analysis approaches of organizing experimental data, those goats fed basal diet and Ficus sycomorus leaves diet and Anogeissus leiocarpus leaves diet optimize both biological and economic benefits, but goats on Vitellaria paradoxa leaves diet recorded less than 50% marginal rate of return. Therefore, on the basis of MRR the technology is highly recommended for animal production in terms of live weight gain and economic benefits.