Native legume species as potential fodder crops in the mediterranean renosterveld shrubland, South Africa

S.B.M. Chimphango; L.H. Gallant; Z.C. Poulsen; M.I. Samuels; D. Hattas; O.E. Curtis; A.M. Muasya; C. Cupido; J.S. Boatwright; J. Howieson

doi:10.1016/j.jaridenv.2019.104015

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Native legume species as potential fodder crops in the mediterranean renosterveld shrubland, South Africa

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Native legume species as potential fodder crops in the mediterranean renosterveld shrubland, South Africa

S.B.M. Chimphango, L.H. Gallant, Z.C. Poulsen, M.I. Samuels, D. Hattas, O.E. Curtis, A.M. Muasya, C. Cupido, J.S. Boatwright and J. Howieson

Journal of Arid Environments, Vol.173

2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2019.104015

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Abstract

The limited grazeable size of renosterveld vegetation in the Western Cape warranted assessment of chemical and fibre composition of the species to determine their nutritive value. We hypothesised that Fabaceae has chemically superior palatable species relative to Poaceae, Asteraceae and Asparagaceae species in the area. Plant samples were collected in the Overberg region from 11 sites. The species sampled from these four families Fabaceae, Poaceae, Asteraceae, and Asparagaceae were analysed for macro- and micro-elements, fibre and secondary compounds. At each site, replicated soil samples were also collected and analysed for pH, macro- and micro-elements. Fabaceae recorded the greatest concentration of crude protein, but the Poaceae was the most fibrous relative to Fabaceae and Asteraceae. All the species contained adequate levels of nutrients except P, Zn and sometimes Cu. Soil concentration of macronutrients and carbon in the soil varied with location. Based on crude protein, neutral detergent fibre and digestibility, the three most important parameters defining forage quality, the Fabaceae species Aspalathus hispida, A. angustifolia, A. nigra and A. submissa were regarded as superior forage species in the Mediterranean renosterveld. Livestock relying on only the renosterveld species in the Western Cape as forages should receive P and Zn supplements.

Details

Title: Native legume species as potential fodder crops in the mediterranean renosterveld shrubland, South Africa
Authors/Creators: S.B.M. Chimphango (Author/Creator) - University of Cape Town
L.H. Gallant (Author/Creator) - University of the Western Cape
Z.C. Poulsen (Author/Creator) - University of Cape Town
M.I. Samuels (Author/Creator)
D. Hattas (Author/Creator) - University of Cape Town
O.E. Curtis (Author/Creator) - University of Cape Town
A.M. Muasya (Author/Creator) - University of Cape Town
C. Cupido (Author/Creator) - University of the Western Cape
J.S. Boatwright (Author/Creator) - University of the Western Cape
J. Howieson (Author/Creator) - Murdoch University
Publication Details: Journal of Arid Environments, Vol.173
Publisher: Academic Press
Identifiers: 991005543152907891
Copyright: © 2019 Elsevier Ltd
Murdoch Affiliation: Centre for Rhizobium Studies
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Citation topics: 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology; 3.51 Dairy & Animal Sciences; 3.51.84 Ruminant Nutrition
Web Of Science research areas: Ecology; Environmental Sciences
ESI research areas: Environment/Ecology