Agric Keypoints: Pasture and Forage Crops

Agric Keypoints: Pasture and Forage Crops; Pasture and forage crops play a vital role in the livestock industry, providing essential nutrition for grazing animals and supporting sustainable agriculture in West Africa.

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This article explores the gross morphology, methods of propagation, and husbandry of common pasture grasses and legumes, the establishment, maintenance, conservation, and uses of pastures and forage crops, the distribution of natural grasslands in West Africa, range management, and the utilization of range resources in Nigeria.

Agric Keypoints: Pasture and Forage Crops

a. Study of Gross Morphology, Methods of Propagation, and Husbandry

Common Pasture Grasses and Legumes:
In West Africa, several grass species and legumes are commonly used for pasture and forage. Some of the prominent grass species include:

1. Guinea Grass (Panicum maximum): A highly productive tropical grass, well-suited for grazing and cutting. It exhibits high drought tolerance and adapts well to a wide range of soil conditions.
2. Rhodes Grass (Chloris gayana): Another popular grass species with good palatability and nutrition. Rhodes grass is known for its rapid establishment and regrowth, making it suitable for intensive grazing.
3. Napier Grass (Pennisetum purpureum): A tall, robust grass with excellent forage yield and quality. Napier grass is often used for cut-and-carry systems and can be fed fresh or conserved as silage.
4. Buffalo Grass (Panicum coloratum): This native African grass is well-adapted to semi-arid regions and provides good forage during the dry season.

Common legumes used in pastures include:

1. Stylo (Stylosanthes guianensis): A tropical legume known for its nitrogen-fixing ability, enhancing soil fertility and supporting livestock nutrition.
2. Centrosema (Centrosema spp.): A vining legume that spreads rapidly, providing good ground cover and nitrogen contribution to the soil.

Differentiation between Pasture and Forage Crops:

Pasture and forage crops are often confused, but they serve distinct purposes. Pastures are areas of land predominantly covered with grasses and legumes intended for grazing by livestock. Common pasture species like Guinea Grass and Rhodes Grass are examples of species used for grazing animals.

On the other hand, forage crops are crops specifically cultivated for harvest and feeding to livestock. These may include crops like Sorghum, Maize, or Alfalfa, which are grown in fields, harvested, and then preserved as hay or silage for use during times of feed scarcity.

Methods of Conserving Pastures:

Conserving pastures is crucial for ensuring a year-round supply of high-quality forage. Two primary methods of pasture conservation are hay-making and silage-making.

Hay-making involves cutting the pasture grasses and drying them in the field until the moisture content decreases to a suitable level. The dried forage is then baled and stored in a dry place for future use. This method is commonly employed in regions with low humidity and good drying conditions.

Silage-making, on the other hand, involves chopping the pasture grasses and ensiling them in airtight containers or pits. The forage ferments and preserves in this anaerobic environment, retaining much of its nutritional value.

Silage-making is particularly useful in regions with higher humidity and during the rainy season when drying hay can be challenging.

b. Study of Natural Grasslands and Their Distribution in West Africa

West Africa boasts a diverse range of natural grasslands, each adapted to specific environmental conditions. These grasslands can be broadly classified into the following vegetational zones:

1. Sahel Zone: This semi-arid zone experiences periodic droughts and is characterized by sparse vegetation, including drought-resistant grasses like Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) and native herbaceous plants.
2. Sudan Savannah Zone: This zone supports more diverse grasslands with species like Guinea Grass, Rhodes Grass, and legumes such as Stylo. It experiences a distinct wet and dry season.
3. Guinea Savannah Zone: A region with more substantial and taller grass species, including Guinea Grass (Panicum maximum) and forbs like Centrosema. This zone has a longer rainy season and better soil fertility.
4. Forest Savannah Transition Zone: A zone with a mix of savannah and forest vegetation, supporting grass species like Axonopus spp. and legumes such as Centrosema.

c. Range Management

Range management involves the sustainable use and conservation of rangelands to optimize livestock production while preserving natural ecosystems. Key aspects of range management include:

1. Grazing Management: Proper rotational grazing practices, such as paddock systems and rest periods for pastures, prevent overgrazing and ensure forage regrowth.
2. Weed Control: Invasive plant species can outcompete valuable pasture grasses. Implementing effective weed control measures is essential for maintaining pasture quality.
3. Water Management: Ensuring adequate and sustainable water sources for livestock is crucial, especially in arid regions.
4. Soil Fertility Management: Techniques like using leguminous plants in pastures can improve soil fertility through nitrogen fixation.

c. Determining Range Types and Utilization of Range Resources in Nigeria

In Nigeria, the range types and utilization of range resources vary across different regions due to climatic and soil differences. Some common range types include:

1. Natural Rangelands: These are the extensive natural grasslands found in various regions, providing grazing resources for nomadic pastoralists and sedentary livestock keepers.
2. Improved Pastures: Cultivated pastures with a mix of improved grass and legume species, enhancing forage quality and quantity.
3. Crop Residues: After the harvest of cereal crops, crop residues like maize stover and rice straw serve as important forage resources during the dry season.

Conclusion

Pasture and forage crops form the backbone of livestock nutrition and sustainable agriculture in West Africa. Understanding the gross morphology, propagation, and husbandry of common pasture grasses and legumes, as well as the methods of pasture conservation, aids in optimizing livestock production and managing natural grasslands.

Implementing effective range management practices ensures the long-term viability of rangelands, supporting both livestock and the environment in Nigeria and beyond.