Agrotechnology

Qualitative Assessment of Fodder Species in the Western Highlands of Cameroon

Leslie Tieubou Tsopgni^1*, Jules Lemoufouet¹, Adrian Nazare², Bogdan Isac², Costel Samuil² and Vasile Vintu^{2 1}Department of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon
²Department of Plant Sciences, University of Life Sciences Ion Ionescu De La Brad of Iasi, Iasi, Romania
^*Correspondence: Leslie Tieubou Tsopgni, Department of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon, Email:

Received: 01-May-2023, Manuscript No. AGT-23-21991; Editor assigned: 04-May-2023, Pre QC No. AGT-23-21991 (PQ); Reviewed: 18-May-2023, QC No. AGT-23-21991; Revised: 25-May-2023, Manuscript No. AGT-23-21991 (R); Published: 01-Jun-2023, DOI: 10.35248/2168-9881.23.12.329

Introduction

Identifying the local fodder species through studies is a key step to improve pasture management. [1]. Especially as these have already developed qualities and adaptations over time that are perfectly suited to the environmental conditions of the area [2]. Studies have been carried out by and in Cameroon, Ghana, Benin, Algeria and Ethiopia, to identify local forage plants in these different localities [3-7]. The identification and characterization of forage are imperative because the zoo technical performance of livestock is strongly linked to the quality of pastures [8]. Pahimi, et al., listed approximately 41 species in North Cameroon, of which Prosopis africana, Daniella oliveri, Acacia sieberiana, Stereospermum kunthianum, and Balanites aegyptica were the most appreciated by livestock [4]. They also observed that many of these species are in decline, such as Prosopis africana, Daniella oliveri, and Polygonum acuminatum, owing to the shrinking of grazing areas in favor of croplands. Lucha, et al., listed 151 forage species in the savannahs of the Ngoketunjia division in Northwest Cameroon [3]. The most abundant species were Desmodium ascendens, Urena lobeta, Bracharia lata, and Vitex doniana. However, few of these are appreciated by livestock because some grazers complain that fire is a major threat to forage plants. This destroys some plant species and leads to species extinction. Neba Ndenecho Emmanuel Recommended the utilization of plants of the Moraceae family in this zone, particularly Ficus spp., which are readily browsed by ruminants and fire resistant [9]. However, no studies have been conducted from this perspective in the Western Highlands of Cameroon (WHC). Hence, the aim of this study is therefore to contribute to a better appreciation of the floristic diversity of forages by identify local forage plants and assess livestock preferences in WHC.

Materials and Methods

Description of the study area

The Western Highlands of Cameroon is characterized by a rainfall of 1500 mm-2000 mm with a 9-month rainy season and 3-month dry season. The average annual temperature ranges from 22°C to 25°C. The soils are ferralitic, sandy-clay, generally not deep, and rejuvenated by erosion. Rich in humus, they are suitable for food and perennial crops.

Sampling

Five divisions in which ruminant breeders had a large herd with at least two years’ experience were chosen, namely, Menoua, Bamboutos, Ndé, Mifi, and Noun (Figure 1). On the same basis, three districts were chosen per division. In these three districts, the snowball sampling or chain sampling method consisting of identifying new breeders from other breeders to form part of the sample was used. A total of fifty breeders were asked to provide information on the forage species consumed by their livestock and their preferences. Subsequently, with their permission, direct observation on the field was carried out to identify the forage species.

Figure 1: Western Highland Divisions of Cameroon.

Forage species identification

Forage species were identified using the botanical guides “Graminée du Cameroun” and “Guide des ligneux” [10,11]. The identification of fodder plants was based on their morphological characteristics, according to these guides.

Results and Discussions

Local forages identified

In the Western Highlands of Cameroon, 32 forage species are consumed by livestock (Table 1). Of these, 21 species are herbaceous plants and belonging to 6 families: Poaceae (11 species), Fabaceae (5 species), Convolvulaceae (2 species), one species each of Malvaceae, Musaceae and Solanaceae. On the other hand, 11 species are browse plants belonging to 7 families: Fabaceae (4 species), Asteraceae (2 species), one species of Asparagaceae, Lauraceae, Myrtaceae, Euphorbiaceae and Meliaceae.

Table 1: Herbaceous and browse forages consumed by livestock.

Interviews conducted by Pahimi, et al., with ruminant farmers in north Cameroon identified 14 herbaceous species, which were fewer than those listed in the WHC. Nevertheless, they observed a decline in the floristic diversity of fodder resources due to climate change, shrinking grazing areas, and bush fires. In contrast, 11 browsed species were also recorded. Pahimi, et al., recorded 31 browse species, which is similar to the results obtained by Ziblim, et al., in Ghana, who recorded 32 browse species. However, these values are lower than those obtained by Nachibingu, et al., in Congo and Denbela, et al., in Ethiopia, which recorded 43 and 50 browse species, respectively [1,4,5,7]. These differences between localities could be due to the fact that the floristic composition of an area’s vegetation is strongly linked to its climate, edaphic factors (soil type, depth, texture, humidity) and degree of anthropisation [12]. Most herbaceous species consumed by livestock belong to the Poaceae family, whereas browse species belong to the Fabaceae family. This is in line with Pahimi, et al., Lucha, et al., and Ziblim, et al., who listed 57%, 31% and 48.8% respectively of the herbaceous species consumed by cattle as belonging to the Poaceae family. Klein, et al., stated that in tropical Africa the majority of species consumed by cattle belong mainly to two families, namely Poaceae and Fabaceae.

Livestock preferences in Western Highlands of Cameroon

The most appreciated species and their parts eaten by livestock for herbaceous and browse species, as declared by breeders, are presented in Table 2.

Table 2: Parts of plant eaten by livestock and their preferences.

The most commonly consumed herbaceous species in WHC are Bracharia ruziziensis, Digiatria ciliaris, Pennisetum purpereum and Pennisetum clandestinum. This result is similar to those obtained by Babatounde, et al., who state that Pennisetum purpereum, Pannicum maximun and Bracharia ruziziensis are most appreciated by sheep in Benin [13]. On the other hand, Nachibingu, et al., note that Pennisetum purpureum (2.8%) and Sida acuta (2.5%) are among the species least consumed and the most consumed is Setaria pallide Fusca by livestock in the Kumbungu district of Ghana [5]. Calliandra calothyrsus, Piliostigma thonningii and Manihot esculenta are the most commonly consumed browse species in WHC. In North Cameroon, Ziblim, et al., found that Prosopis africana, Daniella oliveri, Acacia sieberiana, Stereospermum kunthianum and Balanites aegyptica were the browse species most appreciated by livestock. This shows that livestock preferences vary from one area to another. This could be explained by the fact that preferences depend on livestock feeding habits and the availability of these forage species in these different localities [4]. Klein, et., also state that the palatability of grasses for livestock is explained by the relatively soft texture of their tissues, their discreet taste and odor not marked by unpleasant or repellent substances, the absence or low content of toxic substances or tannins, the high content of digestible carbohydrates (celluloses, soluble sugars, etc.) and fats [14]. For herbaceous species, leaves+stems (57.14%) were the most frequently consumed parts, followed by leaves only (33.33%), leaves+stems+tubers (4.76%), and leaves+fruits (4.76%) (Figure 2). For browse species, the majority consumed leaves only (63.63%), followed by leaves+fruits (18.18%), leaves+tubers (9.09%), and leaves+pods (9.09%) (Figure 3).

Figure 2: Proportion of different parts of herbaceous forages eaten by livestock. Note: () Leaves+Stems; () Leaves; () Leaves+Fruits; () Leaves+Stems+Tubers

Figure 3: Proportion of different parts of browse forage browsed by livestock. Note: () Leaves; () Leaves+Pods; () Leaves+Fruits; () Leaves+Stems.

It results that for Herbaceous and browse species, the plant parts most consumed by livestock are the leaves. This result is similar to those obtained by Lucha, et al., Ziblim, et al., and Suheel, et al., who stated that leaves are the most parts consumed by livestock [3,5,15]. Also, Denbela, et al., declared that cattle have a preference for leaves over other parts of the plant because they are easily accessible, highly palatable and very rich in nutrients [7]. Moussa, et al., mentioned that the choice of forage species organs by livestock depends on the animal species, the season, the phenological stage of the plant, and the availability and quality of the forage species [16]. As reported by Denbela, et al., livestock consume more leaves during the rainy season, seeds and pods at the start of the dry season, and stems and bark towards the end of the dry season [7]. Highly, moderately and low appreciated herbaceous species represent 33.33%, 61.90% and 4.76% respectively. Therefore, highly, moderately and low appreciated browse species represent 27.27%, 36.36% and 36.39% respectively (Figures 4 and 5).

Figure 4: Proportion of different level of preferences for herbaceous species. Note: () Highly Appreciated; () Moderately Appreciated; () Low Appreciated.

Figure 5: Proportion of different level of preferences for browse species. Note: () Moderately Appreciated; () Low Appreciated; () Highly Appreciated.

It can be seen that the proportion of highly appreciated species is relatively low compared to those moderately appreciated. The breeders explained that the land allocated for grazing in this area is very small and the number of breeders is constantly increasing as a result of the migration of refugees fleeing the country’s war zones. This situation leads to overgrazing and the growth of other types of plants is encouraged. Indeed, when some animals focus on consuming a certain category of plants, this encourages the growth of other species that could be moderate, low or no palatable. Moreover, if their consumption is uncontrolled, they could disappear over the years [2].

Conclusion

A total of 32 forage species consumed by livestock have been recorded. Most forage species belong to two families namely Poaceae and Fabaceae. The leaves are the main part of the plant consumed. The forage highly appreciated by livestock is constantly declining, and if nothing is done, they are doomed to disappear. Expanding grazing land and forage cultivation could ensure the sustainability of plants with good pastoral value.

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