Title:

Assessment of rangeland candition and evaluation of the nutritional value of common grass and browse species at Neudamm Experimental Farm, Namibia

Author(s):
Publication Year:
2012
Abstract:

A case study assessment of rangeland condition and evaluation of the nutritional value of common grass and browse species at the Neudamm experimental farm was done from January to September 2011. The study objectives were to determine the botanical composition of grass and browse species, evaluate the nutritive values of common grass and browse species, determine rangeland condition among three camps under different management practices at the Neudamm experimental farm of the University of Namibia. For botanical composition of grass species, the step point method proposed by Hardy & Walker (1991) was used. Chi-square contingency table was used to analyze herbaceous species composition among the three contrasting camps with alpha at (0.05%), while P>0.0445221 showed a significant different between camps. Neudamm farm is at least 10000hectares in size and represent a typical commercial rangeland farm in Namibia. It was found that grazing camps which had been rested for a period of four years were in a very good state of health than those which had not been grazed annually and continuously. It was found that grazing camp under continuous utilization carried the greater number (28.13%) of decreaser species which are the most palatable grasses with high grazing value than the rested camps (28.07% versus 16.00%) respectively. From the chi-square contingency table (two sided test analysis), there was a significant difference (X2 =4.51; df= 10, α=0.05) between camps for the functional distribution of species. There was a significant difference (P<0.05) between camps for woody plants with the 4-year rested camp (B-7) accounting for a very high density of (2760) of woody plants. From the Pearson Chi-square test, it was statistically proven that woody plants' height class density was <1m. The difference in the distribution of woody plants density per hectare was statistically significant with camp B-7 carrying large proportion for both height class and density for the three (3) height classes. Proliferation potential was higher in B-7 with majority of the trees been Acacia mellifera, Leucosphorasbenzii, Tarchonanthus camphorates, Catopharactusalexandrii. Height class <1m was significantly different with a high density (of 68.00%) of all tree count than the <2m and >3m height classes. The study affirmed that grass and browse species contribute substantially to the availability of feed in livestock production in the Khomas District Highland savanna.

Publisher:
University of Namibia
Type:
MSc Thesis
Item Type:
Thesis
Language:
en

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