African forage plant genetic resources, evaluation of forage germplasm and extensive livestock production systems

Table of Contents

PROCEEDINGS OF THE THIRD WORKSHOP HELD AT THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE ARUSHA, TANZANIA, 27-30 APRIL 1987

by the

PASTURE NETWORK FOR EASTERN AND SOUTHERN AFRICA (PANESA)

Edited by B.H. Dzowela

DECEMBER 1988
International Livestock Centre for Africa
P.O. Box 5689, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Correct citation:

Pasture Network for Eastern and Southern Africa (PANESA). 1988. African forage plant genetic resources, evaluation of forage germplasm and extensive livestock production systems. Proceedings of the Third Workshop held at the International Conference Centre, Arusha, Tanzania, 27-30 April 1987. ILCA, Addis Ababa.

This electronic document has been scanned using optical character recognition (OCR) software and careful manual recorrection. Even if the quality of digitalisation is high, the FAO declines all responsibility for any discrepancies that may exist between the present document and its original printed version.

Table of Contents

Preface

Welcome address

Opening statement

Opening address

Opening address

Keynote address

The forage resource
Development of the herds

Session I: African forage plant genetic resources

Some thoughts on the collection, introduction and evaluation of pasture legumes in Zimbabwe

Introduction
Methodology
Results
Discussion
References

Review of range and pasture plants in Botswana

Introduction
Range agronomy methodology
Results
Discussion and conclusion
References

Distribution of potential forage plants in Malawi

Introduction
Influence of physiogeographic region
References
Appendix 1
Legend of physiographic regions as shown in Figure 1.

The distribution of Sesbania species in the PANESA region

Introduction
Species of Sesbania
Agricultural uses of Sesbania
Industrial and domestic uses
Medicinal uses
Conclusion
References

Session II: Forage germplasm evaluation

Forage germplasm at the International Livestock Centre for Africa

Introduction
The germplasm collection
Improving the collection
Storage of material
Germplasm data
How to select germplasm from the genebank
What germplasm to select
References

A review of the potential of Brachiaria species as forage crop for livestock in Tanzania

Introduction
Productivity of the species
References

Evaluation of the potential of some common forage germplasms in Mauritius

Livestock and fodder development
Basic forage resources
Cultivated forages
Forage evaluation studies
Conclusions
References

A review of forage germplasm introduction and evaluation in Uganda

Introduction
Location of pasture research in Uganda
Historical highlights of pasture research prior to 1960
Evaluation studies of pasture species
Recommended pasture species
Discussion and conclusion
Acknowledgements
References

Forage dry-matter productivity variation of Panicum and Cynodon ecotypes in Malawi

Introduction
Materials and methods
Results and discussion
Conclusion
References

Evaluation of Desmodium adscendens through vegetative propagation in natural and planted pastures

Introduction
Materials and methods
Methodology
Results
Discussion
Acknowledgements
References

The screening of perennial Trifolium species mainly from the Ethiopian highlands and their potential for use in pasture

Introduction
Methods
Results
Discussion
Acknowledgements
References

Yield and quality of Lablab purpureus ecotypes in high altitude semi-arid lands in Kenya

Introduction
Materials and methods
Results
Discussion
Acknowledgements
References

Adaptation of forage and browse legumes to the semi-arid mid-altitude regions of Kenya - An interim report

Introduction
Materials and methods
Results
Discussion
Acknowledgements
References
Appendix 1. Legume-evaluation: Accession list.

Characterisation and preliminary evaluation of accessions of Zornia species from the ILCA collection

Introduction
Methodology
Results
Discussion
Acknowledgements
References

Characterisation and evaluation of forage legumes in Ethiopia: Preliminary examination of variation between accessions of Stylosanthes fruticosa (retz.) Alston

Introduction
Methodology
Results
Discussion
Acknowledgements
References
Appendix 1. Collections of stylosanthes fruticosa being evaluated in Ethiopia.

Fodder production potential for zero-grazing systems in the bimodal West Usambara Mountains of Tanzania

Introduction
Materials and methods
Results and discussion
Conclusion
References

The current status of knowledge on the feed value of Crotalaria species

Introduction
Botanical description
Chemical composition
Utilisation as feed for livestock
Toxicity of Crotalaria spp.
Conclusion
References

A review of pasture and fodder crops germplasm evaluation at Uyole, Mbeya in Tanzania

Introduction
Pasture plant evaluation
Conclusion
References

A review on evaluation and agronomy of promising lupine varieties in Kenya

Introduction
Results
Discussion
Conclusion
Acknowledgements
References

The effect of lupine/maize meal supplementation on the performance of lactating Friesian cows

Introduction
Methodology
Results
Discussion
Conclusion
Acknowledgements
References

Session III: Extensive livestock production systems

Livestock production systems in Chokwe, southern Mozambique

Introduction
Study area
Methodology
Results
Discussion
Conclusions and future lines for investigation
Acknowledgements
References

Production of the Malagasy extensive livestock

Introduction
Methodology
Results
Conclusion
References

The prediction of rangeland production from rainfall data in arid and semi-arid Eastern Africa

Introduction
Methods and data sources
Results and discussion
Conclusions
References

Productivity of beef steers under rangeland conditions in a semi-arid area of Kenya

Introduction
Methods
Results
Discussion
References

Classification of Kenya rangeland

Introduction
Methodology
Results
References

Identification and ranking of production constraints in agropastoral systems of Machakos district in Kenya

Introduction
Methodology
Results
Discussion
Conclusions
References
Appendix

Relationship between phytomass productivity, animal forage preference and environmental factors on semi-arid grazed and ungrazed key range plants in Tanzania

Introduction
Materials and methods
Results
Discussion
Conclusion
Acknowledgements
References

Grazing behaviour of Maasai cattle

Introduction
Materials and methods
Results
Discussion
Conclusions
Acknowledgements
References

The role of body weight changes and other factors in the control of fertility of beef cattle at Athi River Ranch, Kenya

Introduction
Materials and methods
Results
Discussion
Conclusions
Acknowledgement
References

The role of water pulses on the productivity of savanna ecosystems in Kenya

Introduction
Materials and methods
Results
Discussion
Conclusions
Acknowledgements
References

The potential of pasture legumes and their role in improving farming practices under extensive livestock production systems in Zambia

Introduction
Past and present situation Results and discussion References

Livestock feeding potentials, constrains and possible improvements in the semi-arid areas of Central Tanzania

Introduction
Methodology
Results and discussion
Research opportunities
Acknowledgements
References

The potential of pasture legumes and their role in improving farming practices under extensive livestock production systems in Zambia

Introduction
Past and present situation
Results and discussion
Conclusions
References

Land-use changes in ranches which were set up in marginal areas of Kenya

Introduction
Cooperative ranching societies
Implication of subdivision
Possible solution

A strategy of livestock research adapted to semi-arid small-scale mixed farming system - The Katumani experience

Introduction
Research background
Subsystems simulation study
On-farm research
References

Legume-based cropping: A possible remedy to land tenure constraint to ruminant production in the subhumid zone of Central Nigeria

Introduction
The fodder bank concept
Methodology
Results
Discussion
Conclusion
References

Role of crop residues as livestock feed in Ethiopian highlands

Introduction
Current practices
Conclusion
References

Nutrient quality of forages in Ethiopia with particular reference to mineral elements

Introduction
Methodology
Results and discussion
Conclusion
References

Effect of pasture mineral levels on extensive cattle production in Kenya

Introduction
Earth licks as sources of minerals
Borderline to sufficient minerals
Deficient minerals
Mineral levels in the rangelands
Meeting mineral requirements of grazing animals
References

Effect of season, fertilizer application and age of regrowth on mineral content of guinea grass (Panicum maximum, Schum) and Giant Star grass (Cynodon nlemfuensis, Chedda)

Introduction
Materials and methods
Results
Discussion
Conclusion
References

Research needs for forage development in Ethiopia: The Fourth Livestock Development Project strategies

Introduction
Factors in determining the strategies
The strategies
Seed production
FLDP research needs
References

List of participants