Biomass yield, nutrient content and silage quality of three forage sorghum (Sorghum Bicolour (L.) varieties grown in the semi-arid region of Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Gwantshu, Vuyolwethu Hamilton
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Sorghum -- Varieties -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Sorghum -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Forage
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9545 , vital:34368
- Description: The study determined the biomass yield, nutrient content and silage quality of forage sorghum varieties. Three varieties were used (King, PAN 868, and PAN 888), in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three blocks and three replicates per treatment at the University of Fort Hare research farm. The research study was conducted during the 2016/2017 growing season. The forages were harvested at flowering stage of growth. Biomass yields of fresh forage and dry matter yield were measured. Sub-samples were then dried, milled and analysed for nutrient content. Furthermore, the forage sorghum was ensiled and the silage was analysed for fermentation parameters and nutrient content. The fresh and dry matter biomass yield showed no significant differences (P>0.05) among the varieties. The highest fresh biomass yields were observed in PAN 888 variety was 13400 kg/ha, King had 12600 kg/ha and PAN 868 had 12600 kg/ha. The dry matter yield observed in PAN 888 was 4300.00 DM kg/ha, PAN 868 had 3633.33 DM kg/ha and King yielded 3533.33 DM kg/ha. The different sorghum varieties showed a significant (P<0.01) difference in some chemical composition parameters namely DM, NDIN and NSC. The different sorghum varieties had significant difference (P<0.01) in the silage fermentation parameters of pH, starch and lactic acid. The sorghum silage varieties were significantly (P<0.01) different in the starch fermentation with values of 0.001percent. The sorghum silage varieties were significant different for fermentation of lactic acid with values ranging from 1.99 to 2.62percent. However, PAN 868 and PAN 888 were not different from each other. Similarly, all varieties were different (P<0.05) in the pH with values ranging from 4.16 to 4.53. There were no significant (P>0.05) differences in CP, Fat, NDF, ADF, Hemicellulose, Ash, and ADIN content of the silages. The mineral composition (macro and micro) of the silage were not significantly (P>0.05) different among the varieties. In conclusion, the dry matter production and nutrient content of the three forage sorghum varieties were not significantly different. The silage fermentation quality showed significant (P<0.05) differences among the three sorghum varieties. Therefore, according to the results of this study PAN 888 is the recommended variety to grow in the semi-arid region of the Eastern Cape.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Forage production, nutritive value and intake rates by goats of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) forages grown in the subtropical region of South Africa
- Authors: Buthelezi, Lindokuhle Sizwe
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Forage Pigeon pea Forage plants
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/7852 , vital:30773
- Description: Different growth stages and drying methods were used to assess forage production, nutritive value and intake of leaves from three Cajanus cajan varieties (ICEAP 00557, ICEAP 01514 and CIMMYT 100/01). In the 2016/17 growing season, three complete randomized block designs (CRBD’s) were conducted. Regrowth parameters were measured during both the both vegetative and flowering stages. The plots were harvested at the flowering stage. Biomass yields were measured at the flowering stage. The harvested leaves were then dried under the two different drying methods. The methods used were shade- and oven-drying at 60 oC. This was used to determine dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL) and total non-structural carbohydrates (TNC) for the C. cajan varieties. Minerals Ca, Mg, K, Na, K/(Ca+Mg), P and Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe and phytochemicals condensed tannins, phenolic compounds and saponins were also analyzed. The intake rates and in vitro and in sacco ruminal degradabilities were also determined. The survival percentage was significantly different (P<0.05) only across the means of varieties. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the number of shoots per plant, stems per shoot and coppice stems produced by the three C. cajan varieties at vegetative and flowering stage. There was a significant difference (P<0.05) in the heights of plants recorded by the varieties only at flowering stage. The yields of fresh biomass in C. cajan was significantly different (P<0.05) across all the varieties harvested in 2016. In all the varieties there was a significant difference (P<0.05) in dry matter yield in both seasons of 2016 and 2017. The effect of browse varieties and drying methods showed a significant effect (P<0.05) on DM, CP, fat, NDIN, ADIN and hemicellulose content of varieties. There was little impact by varieties and drying methods (P<0.05) on ash, NDF, ADF, ADL, TNC and cellulose content of varieties. Varieties and drying method had no effect (P>0.05) on Ca, Mg and K except for Na and P. There was no effect caused by varieties and drying methods (P>0.05) on Zn and Mn with Cu and Fe being the exceptions. Oven drying showed an overall reduction in the tannin concentration on leaves while there was an increase in saponins. The different varieties had no effect (P>0.05) on the IIR, 0.0275±0.0089, 0.0275±0.0077 and 0.0409±0.0109 for Cv1, Cv2 and Cv3, respectively. The day of the trial and browse variety had an effect (P<0.05) on bite rate. However, the day of trial had no significant effect (P>0.05) on both bite size and the instantaneous intake rate. Individual goat had a significant effect (P<0.05) on bite rate. There was a significant difference (P<0.05) in the in vitro and in sacco rapidly degradable fractions (a) of all the three varieties but the drying method had no effect (P>0.05). The slowly degradable fraction (b) and degradation rate constant (c) of all varieties was not significantly different (P>0.05) on both drying methods during IV DaisyII procedure. However, b and c, in all the varieties was significantly different (P<0.05) in both drying methods during the in sacco procedure. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the mean potentially degradable fraction (a+b) across all C. cajan varieties during IV DaisyII procedure, however a+c of all varieties was significantly different (P<0.05) in both the drying methods during the in sacco procedure. The effective in vitro and in sacco degradability of the varieties was significantly different (P<0.05) with a rumen outflow rate of 2, 5 and 8 percent per hour. The shade-dried varieties had a higher (P<0.05) ED than the oven-dried materials during IV DaisyII and the in sacco procedures. It was concluded that the decline in yield of C. cajan during the study is a reflection of poor survival, the insufficient regeneration from seed, nutrient depletion over time and the extended dry seasons. Therefore, shade drying is commended method of drying forages.
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- Date Issued: 2017
The effect of phosphorus fertilizer application on growth, biomass and nutritive value of Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) varieties in Alice, South Africa
- Authors: Mpabanga, Nkosi
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Phosphatic fertilizers Soil fertility Plants -- Effect of phosphorus on
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/6180 , vital:29501
- Description: Low soil fertility has been identified to be among the major causes of low pasture quantity and quality. Scarcity of high quality forage mainly during the dry season threatens animal productivity in some areas of South Africa, thus the need for identifying livestock feed alternatives. Pigeon pea is a woody legume that has continually been an important shrub in agroforestry and can provide protein-rich livestock feed during times of shortage. Soil fertility to support the production of pigeon pea can be enhanced by application of fertilisers. Therefore, this study was carried out firstly, to determine the effect of phosphorus fertiliser on the growth performance and biomass production of three pigeon pea varieties, and secondly, to investigate the influence of phosphorus application on the nutrient and anti-nutrient content of three pigeon pea varieties. The field experiment was done at the University of Fort Hare research farm in Alice, South Africa. The factors investigated were three pigeon pea varieties namely Chitedze 1, Chitedze 2 and CIMMYT 1 and three phosphorus fertiliser application rates of 0, 40 and 60 kg P/ha. The study was a 3× 3 factorial experiment set up in a randomised complete block design and was replicated three times. The growth performance attributes evaluated in this study include the number of branches, plant height and root collar diameter. Root collar diameter was not significantly (p>0.05) different among the pigeon pea varieties and phosphorus levels. Likewise, the application of phosphorus was not significant (p>0.05) on plant height and the number of branches of all the varieties. However, when P level was varied, there were significant differences among the varieties, and so were the interaction (p<0.05) between variety and phosphorus on plant height and the number of branches. There was no significant (p>0.05) difference among the phosphorus levels on the fresh leaf yield of Chitedze 1 and Chitedze 2, but phosphorus application at 40 kg P/ha increased the fresh leaf yield of CIMMYT 1. Phosphorus application at 60 kg P/ha increased (p<0.05) the dry matter content of Chitedze 1 and Chitedze 2. Furthermore, the results of the trial show that the application of 40 kg P/ha and 60 kg P/ha increased (p<0.05) the dry matter yield of the varieties CIMMYT 1 and Chitedze 2, respectively. The effects of phosphorus application on the nutrient composition of the three pigeon pea varieties varied. The composition of hemicellulose of all the varieties was significantly (p<0.05) increased by the application of 40 kg P/ha. Conversely, the concentration of crude protein, phosphorus, copper and iron, and the calcium to phosphorus ratio of all the pigeon pea varieties was not significantly (p>0.05) affected by phosphorus application and there was no interactive effect of variety and phosphorus. The proximate compositions of fat, total non-structural carbohydrates, ash, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, cellulose, neutral detergent insoluble nitrogen, acid detergent insoluble nitrogen of the pigeon pea varieties varied significantly (p<0.05) at different phosphorus application levels. There was an interactive (p<0.05) effect of variety and the level of phosphorus on the concentration of calcium (Ca), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), sodium, zinc, manganese, and the K/(Ca+Mg) ratio. The digestible dry matter, dry matter intake and the relative feed value were significantly (p<0.05) different among the pigeon pea varieties at varying phosphorus levels. The anti-nutrient composition of Chitedze 2 was not significantly (p>0.05) affected by phosphorus application but the concentration of phenols and saponins of Chitedze 1 was significantly (p<0.05) increased when 60 kg P/ha was applied, but these anti-nutrients were reduced (p<0.05) for CIMMYT 1 at 60 kg P/ha. It can be concluded that phosphorus application influences the biomass production and chemical composition while the optimum phosphorus level vary among the pigeon pea varieties.
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- Date Issued: 2017
The potential of Elephantorrhiza elephantina as an anthelmintic of goats in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa
- Authors: Mazhangara, Irene Rumbidza
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Bioactive compounds -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15068 , vital:40160
- Description: The main objective of the study was to investigate the potential of Elephantorrhiza elephantina in the control of gastro-intestinal worms in goats in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The ethanolic, methanolic and aqueous phytochemical composition of E. elephantina root bark extracts were determined. The phytochemical analysis revealed a high concentration of alkaloids, condensed tannins, flavonoids, phenols and saponins in E. elephantina root extracts. Quantitative phytochemical analysis of alkaloids in water extract was 932.44 ± 1.23 mg. Condensed tannins, phenols and saponins in ethanol extract were 450.52 ± 4.56 mg CE/g, 476.11 ± 0.03 mg GAE/g and 832.85 ± 1.45 mg respectively. Flavonoids was 803.93 ± 0.02 mg QE/g in methanol extract as the highest recordings. In vitro screening of ethanol, methanol and water extracts of E. elephantina for potential anthelminthic activity against adult Paramphistomum cervi worm motility showed time and dose-dependent significant effects after 12 hours of treatment. Ethanolic extracts showed a highly significant (P < 0.05) inhibition of motility (86.67 and 96.67 percent) at concentrations 7.5 and 15 mg/ml, respectively. Methanolic and aqueous extracts exhibited a significant (P < 0.05) motility inhibition (96.67 and 66.67 percent, respectively) at concentration of 15 mg/ml 16 hours post-exposure. In vitro assessment of structural changes to adult gastro-intestinal worms following exposure to E. elephantina extracts was done using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The SEM observations revealed structural changes in the worms after contact with E. elephantina extracts in comparison with the control worms kept in Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). The major alterations were around the cuticle, posterior and anterior areas. These changes included longitudinal and transversal folds and thicker cuticula ridges, material aggregates around the posterior and anterior areas. The study showed that ethanol, methanol and water extracts of E. elephantina root contained significant amounts of alkaloids, condensed tannins, flavanoids, phenols and saponins. Validation studies showed that extracts of E. elephantina possess anthelminthic activities. The structural changes found in the worms exposed to extracts of E. elephantina root extracts affected their motility and nutrition, resulting in mortality.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Characterisation of the production and consumption of milk in the communal livestock production sector of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Kumbirai, Kaguru Tinashe
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Milk consumption -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Dairy farming -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/3066 , vital:28251
- Description: The study was conducted in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa with the objective of characterising milk production and consumption among the communal households. A pretested semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data through a single visit survey between June 2014 and May 2015. The study was undertaken in five randomly selected communal districts using a multi – stage area probability sampling method. Household sample size was calculated using a statistical methodology through a fixed formula based on a rural population size of 4410000, at a confidence level of 95 percent. A total of 500 households were selected with a sample size of 20 households in 5 communities within five different communal districts within the province. Half of the total sample size was used to represent the number of non-milk producing households (250) to get a true reflection on consumption profiles for nonproducers. Across the province the average communal family size was between 5-10 members with a monthly income of ZAR1340 per household. On average, pasture land size of the sampled households was 1 ha, with a range of 0.25-1.7 ha. The numbers of animals per species found in the studied province was highest for sheep (310) followed by cattle (227) and goat (87). Average livestock holding per household in the study area was 9.85 TLU (Tropical Livestock Unit). According to the respondents the predominant milking livestock numbers were between 1-3 animals milking per household. In the studied area traditional hand milking of livestock was the major milking practices at 12 percent in goats, 15 percent in sheep and 45 percent in cattle milk production. Consumption was the predominant reason for milk production recorded at 27 percent across the province. Milk production was 43 percent most preferred in cattle followed by 32 percent in goat and least at 29 percent in sheep across the province. In general, from the study it was noted that the majority (38 percent) of the respondents across the province indicated 0-5mins as the time it took to milk most milk producing livestock. The majority of the milking practices was done (37 percent) predominantly once a day, followed by 2 percent twice daily across the province. The daily milk production was on average (0.45±1.07) 2-5 litre in cattle, (4.86±0.814) 0-1litre in goats and (2.62±0.42) 0-1 litre sheep per producing house hold with in the province The monthly raw milk consumption in the province was (2.20± 1.42) 2-5 litres of cattle milk, (4.78±0.79) 2-5 litres of goat milk and (4.98±0.69) 2-5 litres of sheep milk per consuming household.
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- Date Issued: 2016
Effect of phosphorus application on dry matter yield and nutrient content of Mucuna Pruriens (L) in Alice
- Authors: Tshwati, Nolubabalo
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Legumes Phosphorus Fertilizers
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12326 , vital:39253
- Description: The use of herbaceous legumes such as Mucuna (Mucuna pruriens) can assist to recapitalize soil fertility depletion and improve livestock productivity in the small holder farming sector of South Africa. The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of phosphorus fertilizer application (0, 20, 40 and 60 kg P/ha) on the dry matter yield and nutritive value of Mucuna pruriens. The study was conducted at University of Fort Hare Research farm in Alice, South Africa. The research design was a randomized complete block design with three replicates per treatment. Data collection included biomass production and nutrient content of Mucuna pruriens. The forage legume was harvested at flowering stage of growth and analysed for chemical composition. The results showed that with the application of 60 kg P/ha Mucuna had the highest (P < 0.05) fresh and dry matter yield of 19.58 kg/ha and 5.41 kg/ha, respectively compared to other treatments. However, all the other treatments differed from one another. Similarly, the fresh stem and leaf fractions yield and their dry matter yields showed the same trend with application of 60 kg P/ha having the greatest yield compared to the other treatments. Nevertheless, all the treatments differed (P<0.05) from one another with P0 having the least yields. The leaf to stem ratio did not show any significant (P>0.05) difference among all the treatments ranging from 1.44 to 1.62 in fresh forage and ranging from 1.31 to 1.50 in the dry forage. In terms of dry matter content, the control treatment had the highest dry matter content of 37.78percent, however, all the other treatments did not differ significantly (P < 0.05) from each other. There was no significant effect of P application (P > 0.05) in terms of ash, EE, ADF, CP, Ca, Mg, K, Na, P, Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe of the whole plant forage among the treatments. The application of 40 kg P/ha fertilizer significantly (P < 0.05) increased the NDF (51.16percent) of the whole plant of Mucuna compared to the other treatments which did not differ (p>0.05) among themselves. Within the stem fraction there were no significant (P > 0.05) differences among the treatments for the ash, EE, ADF, NDF, and CP, hemicellulose, Ca, Mg, K, P, Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe contents. However, the application of 40 kg P/ha fertilizer significantly (P < 0.05) increased the Na (0.05percent) content of the Mucuna stem fraction. In the leaf fraction of Mucuna there was no significant (P > 0.05) differences in terms of ash, EE, ADF, NDF, CP, hemicellulose, Ca, K, P, Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe among the treatments. However, the application of 20 kg P/ha fertilizer significantly (P < 0.05) increased the Mg (0.52percent) of the Mucuna leaves compared to the other treatments. Therefore the study has shown that increase in P application (60 kg P/ha) has no major effect in the nutrient content of Mucuna. Furthermore, it is recommended that Mucuna can be grown as a protein supplement, based on the CP content values that were recorded in this study and to provide maintenance requirements for ruminants. It was therefore concluded that phosphorus fertilization particularly 60 kg P/ha is necessary and required for optimum growth of Mucuna pruriens in order to increase forage yield. Based on the nutrient content result it was concluded that there was no effect of P fertilizer application levels on the nutrient content of Mucuna pruriens in Alice.
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- Date Issued: 2016
The biomass production, nutrient content and silage quality of Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne (L)) Cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata (L)) and Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea (Schreb)) varieties grown under irrigation in Alice, South Africa
- Authors: Tikwayo, Sizwe Edward
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Ryegrasses -- Varieties -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Ryegrasses -- Irrigation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Biomass energy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1796 , vital:27560
- Description: The study aims to evaluate the biomass production and nutrient content and silage quality of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne (L)), cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata (L)) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea (Schreb)). Six varieties were used, two for each species. A completely randomized block designed replicated three times was conducted at University of Fort Hare Research Farm during 2014-2015 growing season. The plots were harvested at four-week interval (post emergency) for one year. Biomass yields were measured for fresh forage and dry matter yield. Duplicated samples were then dried, milled and analyzed for chemical and mineral composition (CP, NDF, ADF, and ash, Ca, P, K, Na, Mn, Cu, Zn and Fe) for only winter season. In addition the grasses were ensiled and the silage was analyzed for its fermentation parameters and nutrient content (lactic acid, pH, DM, CP, NDF, ADF, and ash, Ca, P, K, Na, Mn, Cu, Zn and Fe). Biomass results showed significant differences (P < 0.05) between season and varieties. On average Tall fescue varieties Jessup (13741.67 FM kg/ha), Alix (12007.78 FM kg/ ha) and Ryegrass varieties Samson (11597.22 FM kg/ha) and Nui (10591.67 FM kg/ha) had the highest fresh biomass yield. Similarly, Tall fescue varieties Jessup (2833.06 DM kg/ha) and Alix (2708.3 DM kg/ ha) and Ryegrass varieties Samson (2169.44 DM kg/ha) and Nui (2169.67 kg/ha) had the highest dry biomass yield. Throughout the year the average biomass yield was significantly different among species (P< 0.05). During summer and autumn Tall fescue varieties Jessup and Alix gave the highest dry matter yields of 3855.5 to 1977.8 DM kg/ha, and 3877.8 to 1900 DM kg/ha, respectively, and followed by Cocksfoot 2400 DM kg/ha. Ryegrass had the highest dry matter biomass yield in winter (2975 DM kg/ha) and the least in summer (977.75 DM kg/ha). There were no significant (P>0.05) differences on the chemical composition (CP, NDF, ADF, and ash) and mineral composition (Ca, P, K, Na, Mn, Cu, Zn and Fe) of the six varieties. The grass silage results showed significant differences (P< 0.05) among the six varieties for moisture content. Perennial ryegrass variety Nui (66.76 percent) had low moisture content than the other grass silages. The different varieties had no significant effects (P>0.05) on chemical composition (CP, NDF, ADF, and ash) and mineral composition (Ca, P, K, Na, Mn, Cu, Zn and Fe). It is concluded that the biomass production of the six varieties of three grass species was different throughout the year under irrigation hence Ryegrass and Tall fescue are recommended for dairy farmers in the region for all seasons. It can be concluded that there is no difference with respect to fermentation characteristics and nutrient content among the varieties of the grass species.
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- Date Issued: 2016