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Research Paper | Agronomy | Kenya | Volume 4 Issue 3, March 2015
Botanical Composition and Selective Feeding by Goats in the Semi-Arid Lands of Central-Eastern Kenya
Nyende Kefa Osolo [2] | Shibairo S. I. | Jacob W. Wakhungu
Abstract: Botanical composition of University of Nairobis Machanga Field Station, Mbeere, in the Semi-arid Central-Eastern rangelands of Kenya was inventoried by reconnaissance survey. Relative abundance of the various plant species and ground cover were then established for three seasons long rains, short rains and dry season. Small East African goats were allowed to graze freely on the range and their selective grazing behavior used to identify the relative preference of plant species. Over one hundred and eighty (180) plant species were identified and recorded. The herbaceous ground cover varied with season and was highest during the long rains study (40.8 %) followed by short rains (19.2 %) and lowest for dry season (12.6 %). Goats showed strong preference for species which were relatively scarce (r<-0.86). Promotion and conservation of the preferred plants was recommended.
Keywords: Botanical composition, goats, semi-arid lands, preferred plants
Edition: Volume 4 Issue 3, March 2015,
Pages: 50 - 53
Similar Articles with Keyword 'Botanical'
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Research Paper, Agronomy, Philippines, Volume 4 Issue 7, July 2015
Pages: 2566 - 2569Efficacy of Fermented Botanical Plant Extracts in the Management of White Flies and 28-Spotted Beetles in Tomato
Honeylette A. Baloc | Marissa P. Bulong
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Research Paper, Agronomy, Nigeria, Volume 5 Issue 7, July 2016
Pages: 1972 - 1977The Efficacy of Eco-friendly Botanicals in the Management of Damping-off and Downy Mildew Diseases of Cucumber
Utobo E.B. [2] | Ekwu L.G. [2] | Nwogbaga A.C. [2] | Nwanchor K. [2]