An experiment was conducted to assess the possibility of quantitatively and qualitatively enhancing fodder production on contour bunds by associating grasses and nitrogen-fixing shrubs. Treatments were pure hedges (2 rows) of a grass (Pennisetum purpureum or Tripsacum laxum) or a shrub (Calliandra calothyrsus, Leucaena diversifolia or Sesbania sesban), and mixed hedges that comprised a row of a shrub and a row of a grass. Yields of mixed hedges of calliandra-tripsacum (2.06 kg/m) and leucaena-tripsacum (1.83 kg/m) were not significantly (P > 0.05) different from those of the pure tripsacum plots (2.22 kg/m). Sesbania did not withstand repeated cutting in the second year and died out. Goats grazing tripsacum would suffer a protein deficiency relative to the availability of energy. However, the higher N content of forage from mixed calliandra-tripsacum and leucaena-tripsacum hedges would provide digestible protein levels above the maintenance requirement for goats. The implications for livestock and crop production of producing higher quality fodder from the mixed hedges are discussed. We recommend the planting of calliandra-tripsacum and leucaena-tripsacum hedges for fodder production on contour bunds in the highlands of Burundi.
Tag: calliandra calothyrsus
Relating preseason soil nitrogen to maize yield in tree legume-maize rotations
Legumes can be an important source of N for cereals in tropical, subsistence farming systems that use little or no fertilizers. Our objective was to identify measures of soil N availability, following growth of diverse legumes, that correlated with yield of a subsequent unfertilized maize (Zea mays L.) crop. Unfertilized maize followed nine 3-yr-old systems (six monocultures of planted trees legumes, a groundnut [Arachis hypogea L.]-maize-soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] rotation, an uncultivated fallow with natural regrowth of vegetation, and unfertilized maize monoculture) in two experiments on a Ustic Rhodustalf in eastern Zambia. Total soil C and N before maize planting were not related to grain yield of maize. Preseason soil inorganic N (NO3 + NH4), aerobic N mineralization, and light-fraction N (N in macroorganic matter, 150–2000 µm and <1.37 Mg m-3) at 0- to 15- cm depth correlated (P < 0.01) with maize grain yield. Preseason inorganic N combined with light-fraction N accounted for 59% of the variance in maize grain yield. The predictability of maize yield was slightly improved (64% of the variance) by including the population of the parasitic weed striga [Striga asiatica (L.) Kuntze] with preseason inorganic N and light-fraction N. The results suggest that yield of unfertilized, rain-fed maize following different rotational systems on a N-limiting soil in an area with monomodal rainfall was strongly related to the additive effects of preseason soil inorganic N and a soil N fraction related to N mineralization.
The Indonesian Forestry Laws as Basis for a REDD Regime?
During COP 13 in Bali, the Government of Indonesia officially showed interest in REDD (Reduced Emission from Deforestation in Developing Countries) schemes, which offer financial rewards for activities that reduce CO2 emissions from clearing, converting, or degrading forests. If current emissions are multiplied with current prices for emission reduction credits, a very high value (about US$1.8 billion/year) can be calculated as an upper limit. The dollar signs in the eyes of stakeholders, however, are not necessarily beneficial in helping to see what it will take to make it work. Lack of performance rather than lack of funds may well be the primary constraint. The mechanisms will have to be realistic (dealing with the real causes and drivers), conditional (performance based), and voluntary (providing sustainable benefits along the value chain of involved stakeholders). Current forestry laws and institutions in Indonesia were not designed to deal with a benefit distribution mechanism from REDD incentives, but they will form the background for discussions on who has a right to benefit, and who has the resources and power to obstruct others from benefiting.
Tree roots anchor soil and reduce landslide risk: case studies in Indonesia
Intake, digestibility and nitrogen utilization by sheep fed with provenances of Calliandra calothyrsus Meissner with different tannin structure
A trial with sheep (housed in metabolic cages, and fitted with ruminal and duodenal cannulas) fed sun-dried forage of two Calliandra calothyrsus provenances (San Ramon —CIAT 22310 and Patulul CIAT— 22316) harvested in sites with contrasting soil fertility was carried out to further define the biological significance of the different chemical structure in the tannin of Calliandra provenances. Six African-type sheep were assigned to one of four treatments (T1: San Ramón grown in Quilichao with infertile soils, T2: Patulul grown in Quilichao with infertile soils, T3: San Ramón grown in Palmira with fertile soils, and T4: Patulul grown in Palmira with fertile soils) arranged in an Unbalanced Simple Crossover Design. Results showed that extractable tannins in Patulul comprised mainly procyanidin subunits, whereas the tannin fraction in San Ramón was composed largely of prodelphinidin subunits. The DM intake and digestibility of Calliandra were greater (P<0.05) with San Ramón than with Patulul. Intake was also greater (P<0.05) with provenances harvested in the site with fertile soil than in the site with acid soils. Absolute and relative values of ruminal escape dietary N in sheep were greater (P<0.05) with San Ramón than with Patulul, which is consistent with laboratory results on tannin astringency. Thus for the first time we have evidence suggesting that the chemical structure of condensed tannins in tropical legumes can have an effect on N utilization by ruminants. The fact that in vivo results on ruminal escape N were in close agreement with results on astringency of extractable condensed tannins from Calliandra provenances validates the use of laboratory astringency tests for screening tropical legumes with tannins for quality traits. = Para poder definir mejor el significado biológico de la diferente estructura química de los taninos de dos procedencias (San Ramon – CIAT 22310 y Patulul – CIAT 22316) de Calliandra calothyrsus se realizó un ensayo de alimentación con ovinos fistulados en el rumen y duodeno, alojados en jaula metabólica y alimentados con forraje seco al sol de las dos procedencias de Calliandra cosechadas en sitios con suelos de fertilidad contrastante. Seis ovinos de pelo tipo Africano se asignaron al azar a 4 tratamientos (T1: -San Ramón cosechada en Quilichao con suelos de baja fertilidad, T2: –Patulul cosechada en Quilichao con suelos de baja fertilidad, T3: -San Ramón cosechada en Palmira con suelos fértiles, y T4: –Patulul cosechada en Palmira con suelos fertiles) dispuestos en un diseño Reversible Simple no Balanceado. Los resultados mostraron que el consumo de MS y la digestibilidad de Calliandra fueron mayores (P<0.05) con la procedencia San Ramón que con la procedencia Patulul, y que el consumo también fue mayor (P<0.05) con el forraje cosechado en el sitio con suelos más fértiles. Los valores absolutos y relativos de proteína del forraje que escapo degradación en el rumen (proteína de escape o sobrepasante) fueron mayores (P<0.05) con la procedencia San Ramón que con Patulul, lo cual es consistente con resultados de astringencia de los taninos de las dos procedencias medida en el laboratorio. Por lo tanto, por primera vez tenemos evidencia que sugiere que la estructura química de los taninos de leguminosas tropicales puede tener un efecto en la utilización de nitrógeno por rumiantes. El hecho de que los resultados de proteína sobrepasante medidos in vivo estuvieran de acuerdo con los resultados de astringencia de taninos de las procedencias de Calliandra determinadas en el laboratorio, valida el uso de estos métodos de astringencia para la selección de leguminosas tropicales por calidad nutritiva.
The effects of drying temperature on chemical composition and nutritive value of some tropical fodder shrubs
The effects of drying temperature on chemical composition and nutritive value of leaves of the shrub legumes Acacia angustissima (Miller) Kuntze, Calliandra calothyrsus Meissn and Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit were determined in two studies in Zimbabwe. In the first study, the effects of shade-, sun- and oven-drying leaves on chemical composition and protein precipitation capacity of tannin extracts were studied. Drying method affected (P<0.01) chemical composition, with cell wall polysaccharides increasing from shade drying to oven drying. Calliandra calothyrsus leaves had the highest total phenolics, tannin phenolics and the lowest N content. About 40% of phenolics in L. leucocephala were non-tannin compared to less than 15% in A. angustissima and C. calothyrsus. Extractable proanthocyanidins and their capacity to precipitate protein were affected (P<0.01) by drying method; extracts from shade-dried leaves were 10% and 20% more reactive than extracts from sun- and oven-dried leaves, respectively. The relative degree of polymerisation of the proanthocyanidins was higher (P<0.01) for oven-dried (1.44) leaves compared to shade-dried (1.01) and sun-dried (1.00) leaves. Drying temperature influences the nutrient–polyphenolic interactions in A. angustissima, C. calothyrsus and L. leucocephala leaves and these interactions have important implications for feed evaluation protocols and for use of these leaves in ruminant feeding systems. The second study considered the effects of feeding sun-dried or fresh leaves of the three shrub legumes as supplements to native pasture hay on nutrient intake and digestion by goats. Feeding the fresh or dry leaves made no difference in terms of dry matter intake and digestion, and N digestion. This offers farmers flexibility in terms of feeding strategies, as they can feed the browse in any form that suits their farm situation. Increasing the level of C. calothyrsus in the diet increased faecal N. Nitrogen retention was lower for animals fed with C. calothyrsus compared to those fed with the other browses.
Leguminous fodder trees: boosting milk production and income for farm families in Kenya
The agronomic and economic potential of tree fallows on scoured terrace benches in the humid highlands of Southwestern Uganda
Smallholder farmers in the densely populated highlands of Southwestern Uganda face major constrains because of poor soil productivity and inadequate wood supply. The wood production, soil replenishing potentials and economic returns of five improved fallow systems: Sesbania sesban, Calliandra calothyrsus, Alnus acuminata, Tephrosia vogelii, and Acanthus pubescens were compared with the traditional bush fallow and continuous cropping systems. A trial was conducted on a non-P deficient Haplorthox (USDA) or Haplic ferralsols (FAO). Starting in March 1996, the fallow phase lasted for 2 years. Crop performance after fallow was subsequently assessed for 2 years. Soil improvement due to fallow was observed only on the degraded upper two-thirds of the terraces but not on the relatively more fertile lower terrace parts. Mineral nitrogen levels increased from 9.5 mg kg1 in the continuous cropping systems to 17.3 and 13.1 in the Sesbania and Calliandra fallows, respectively. On the upper terrace, cumulative maize yield after fallow increased significantly from 1.6 Mg ha1 in the continuous cropping to 3.5, 4.1, 5.9 and 6.2 Mg ha1 in the Tephrosia, Alnus, Calliandra and Sesbania fallow systems, respectively. Besides crop yield improvement, Sesbania, Calliandra and Alnus resulted in high firewood production of 27, 26, and 24 Mg ha1, respectively. Net benefits over the whole terraces show negative annual returns under the continuous cropping system but higher net returns of USD 229, 157, and 111 in the Sesbania, Calliandra and Alnus systems, respectively. Returns to labour are also higher in the tree fallow system, trading labour above the normal wage rate. On the upper terrace part, only Sesbania, Calliandra and Alnus systems result in positive annual net benefits of USD 185, 111, and 53, respectively. Tephrosia, natural fallow and continuous cropping systems are not profitable on the heavily degraded upper terrace as they result in negative returns.
Availability and use of dry season feed resources on smallholder dairy farms in central Kenya
A cross-sectional survey on 41 farms followed by six weeks monitoring of dairy cattle feeding on ten smallholder dairy farms in central Kenya was conducted to investigate the use, availability and quality of dry season feed resources. Fodder production was largely from Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) grown on small plots and contour strips where it acts both as a fodder source as well as a biological barrier to soil erosion. There is a need to broaden the choice of fodder crops on such farms to provide a wide range of harvesting management options and to avoid total loss in case of pest or disease outbreaks. Intercropping of Napier grass with leguminous fodder trees could boost the quantity and quality of herbage production especially during the dry season. Roughage from a variety of sources was utilised during the dry season in addition to Napier grass. Among the herbages, leguminous feeds had the lowest potential dry matter degradability while weeds harvested from cropland and roadsides had the highest. Energy and protein intake from the roughage fed to grade dairy cattle during the dry season may be insufficient to meet the requirements of these animals due to the high levels of fibre concentration (acid detergent fibre and neutral detergent fibre (ADF and NDF)) in them. It is recommended that the scope for alternative sources of improved roughage such as Napier/calliandra mixtures, to boost the energy, protein and overall dry matter provision on the farms should be investigated further.
Nitrogen mineralization and maize yields following application of tree prunings to a sandy soil in Zimbabwe
Despite the promotion of prunings as sources of nitrogen for crops, lack of synchronization between N mineralization from prunings and plant uptake remains a major limitation to the impact of prunings on crop yields. A laboratory and a field experiment were therefore carried out to determine the mineralization patterns of selected prunings and assess the potential that exists to improve synchrony by mixing prunings of different quality. The laboratory incubation experiment was conducted for 84 days to determine the C and N release patterns of prunings of different quality and the manipulation of the C and N mineralization trends by mixing prunings of different quality. High quality prunings were considered to be those with high CO2 evolution rates and mineralize N rapidly. The % C and % N released in 84 days were highest for the high quality prunings of Tithonia diversifolia (70% and 30% respectively) and least for the low quality prunings of Flemingia macrophylla (25% and –5% respectively). The medium quality prunings of Acacia angustissima and Calliandra calothyrsus had similar proportions of released C and N (about 40% C and 10% N). Different mixtures of T. diversifolia with other species showed contrasting influence on C release and N mineralization. Most mixtures released less C than that predicted, but in contrast most mixtures released N at a rate either matching or above the predicted. The % N released was strongly correlated with the polyphenol protein binding capacity (r2 = 0.53) and also with the % C released (r2 = 0.62). The field experiment was done for two cropping seasons to determine the effects of the prunings of these species and their mixtures on maize grain yield. The prunings were added at 5 t ha1 and incorporated into the top 15 cm by hand hoeing in the first season and their residual effects were monitored in the second season. Medium and low quality prunings produced significantly (p < 0.05) higher maize grain yields in the first season ranging between 2.4 t ha1 and 3.4 t ha1 compared with T. diversifolia which produced 1.7 t ha1. This suggested better synchrony in N release and uptake by maize with medium and low quality prunings compared with high quality prunings. The only mixture that indicated improved synchrony was the mixture of T. diversifolia and C. calothyrsus. This study showed that mixing prunings of different quality produce different patterns of N mineralization, some of which were unexpected and had a potential for improving N synchrony.