Influence of Tree Density on Vegetation Composition and Soil Chemical Properties in Savanna Rangeland of Eastern Cape, South Africa

The proliferation of woody species alters the vegetation structure, leading to loss of rangeland productivity. It aimed to assess the influence of tree density on vegetation and soil chemical properties at three levels of encroachment;open, moderate and dense. Each level of encroachment was replicated 3 times, a 5000 m2 plot was marked per replicate. Four belt transects 200 m2 were placed per plot. Woody species within each belt transect per replicate were identified and recorded to evaluate woody species composition. Grass species composition was assessed using a step point method. Soil was sampled per replicate and analysed for chemical properties. Results showed that 71% of grasses were increasers and 29% decreasers. Digitaria eriantha and Eragrostis obtusa were the most dominant species. Vachellia karoo and Aloe ferox were the most dominant woody species. The dense had high nitrogen (1.48%) compared to the moderate (0.23%) and the open (0.17%). Increaser species, soil carbon, soil pH increased with the increase of tree density. It was concluded that the replacement of highly palatable grasses with inferior ones was due to improper rangeland management practices. It was recommended that land users form rangeland management associations and set up conservation agreements for proper management of resources.

Ticks, Demographics, Vegetation Cover, and Farmer’s Age Influence Red Meat Production in Resource-Poor Regions of Eastern Cape Province of South Africa

This study presents an integrated examination of livestock production constraints associating with communal farming in six district municipalities (DMs) of the Eastern Cape Province. We collected data on demographic and socio-economic factors from 271 farmers randomly given questionnaires. About 26 Land Redistribution for Agricultural Development (LRAD) owned by communal farmers were surveyed to ascertain the condition of grazing land, meanwhile, tick species and distribution on cattle and goats found in 158 sampling sites of the study area were also recorded. From the results, a total of 34,929 adult ticks belonging to five genera and 10 species were encountered. The most abundant tick genera were Rhipicephalus of the subgenus Boophilus (68.91%), Amblyomma (20.72%), Hyalomma (8.64%), Ixodes (1.22%), and Haemaphysalis (0.51%). By geographic distributions, Amblyomma and Rhipicephalus were common to all DMs, while R. microplus and R. decoloratus were found in the drier regions. From the map plotted for 16 custom feeding centers, lack of marketing channels (23%), poor animal conditions (20%), lack of infrastructure (19%), high price of medicine (14%), shortage of feed (10%), stock theft (8%), and age of animals (too old) to be marketed (6%) are the major shortcomings in red meat production. We found that the associations between gender (χ2 = 31.3481, p < 0.0001), age (χ2 = 32.4889, p < 0.0001), and farming experience (χ2 = 52.7556, p < 0.0001) were significantly (p < 0.05) higher. Additionally, we found that farming commodities were significantly influenced by gender and farming experience. From the surveyed LRAD farms, we observed a higher proportion of increaser II grass species in Alfred Nzo (55.6%), Amathole (53.9%), and Chris Hani (46.4%) DMs. On the other hand, the decreaser grass species were few in Alfred Nzo (16.5%), Amathole (13.8%), and Chris Hani (21.8%). Inferences from the data indicate the need for government and stakeholders’ intervention to farmers through the provision of infrastructures, marketing channels, and training on livestock based programs.

Exploratory Study on Relationship among Body Weight, Body Condition Score and Some Blood Biochemical Parameters of Non-Descriptive Goats in Mzimvubu Local Municipality: A Case of Santombe Village

Body weight is a crucial trait that aids farmers in decision-making regarding vaccinations, feeding, marketing and selection during the breeding programs. The study was conducted to investigate the effect of sex and age on body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS) and some blood biochemical parameters (BBP) and to determine the correlation amongst BW, BCS and BBP of non-descriptive goats at Santombe communal farming system. Blood samples were collected from 33 apparently healthy goats (27 females and 6 males) aged 6 - 8 tooth with a mean BW (32.62 ± 11.39 kg) while BCS (3.17 ± 0.39) was taken by means of palpating the lumbar area, sternum and the ribs. The BCS was rated on a scale of 1 to 5 with 1 being emaciated and 5 being extremely fat. The blood samples were analyzed using Cobas intergra 400 plus chemistry analyzer, Roche for biochemical parameters such as total protein (TP), urea, cholesterol (Chol), magnesium (Mg), phosphorous (P) and calcium (Ca) with mean values of 72.79 ± 5.84 mg/l, 2.76 ± 1.16 mmol/l, 2.08 ± 0.40 mmol/l, 1.09 ± 0.09 mmol/l, 2.30 ± 0.49 mmol/l and 2.45 ± 0.12 mmol/l respectively. Sex and age had significant effects on BW, BCS and some biochemical parameters. The BW and BCS for males were significantly higher than for females. Correlation results indicated that BW had a positive relationship with BCS (r = 0.677), TP and BW (r = 0.400), Chol and BCS (r = 0.4025) and Mg and TP (r = -0.075). Age and sex had significant influences on BW, BCS and some blood biochemical parameters. Consideration of the factors can aid in determining the accurate diagnosis of the nutritional status of goats.

Ethnopharmacological Assessment of Medicinal Plants Used in the Management of Livestock Ailments by Resource-Limited Farmers in the Eastern Cape Province

Medicinal plants play a major role in meeting people’s medical and health needs, especially in developing countries. However, due to a lack of access to modern veterinary facilities, poor visibility of animal health personnel, and high prices of orthodox medicines, most farmers rely on traditional healers and the administration of medicinal plants to treat livestock ailments. The present study was conducted to document Ethnopharmacological knowledge of medicinal plants used to manage livestock ailments in three rural communities of the Eastern Cape. This study was carried out in three rural communities between July 2009 and February 2010. Data were collected by administering pre-tested semi-structured questionnaires and participative field observations. For the interviews, a sample of 48 knowledgeable respondents was purposively selected. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, determination of information consensus factor, and fidelity level. A total of 12 medicinal plants belonging to 9 families were used by local people to cure different ailments. A high number of medicinal plants were claimed by males compared to females. Roots and barks were the major plant parts used, and the least were leaves (27.3%). Six plants were used to treat diarrhea and fertility, five plants to treat wounds, and two plants to treat scabs. This study has shown that Eastern Cape flora is rich with various plants which could be used to replace orthodox drugs. Further studies are needed to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations, biological activities, and toxicities and characterize the plant’s chemical compounds.

An Assessment of Youth Involvement in Agricultural Activities in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Youth, who make up the majority of South Africa’s population and will be the future responsible citizens, confront numerous obstacles, including a lack of access to land, finance, markets, practical training, and incentives. The low interest of youngsters in agriculture is attributed to the poor status of agricultural output in Africa’s rural areas due to a lack of government support. The study was conducted to assess the involvement of youths in agricultural activities in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The convenient sampling technique was used, and qualitative data were collected from 104 participants using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. The questionnaire covered demographic characteristics, land ownership status, contact with extension personnel, and involvement in farming activities, funding, and constraints. Descriptive statistics and chi-square test were used for data analysis. The results showed that there were more males (59.6%) participants than females (40.4%) and the majority (74%) were between 20 - 35 years of age, 52.9% had senior secondary school level of education and came from a household size ranging from 6 - 19. Approximately 88.5% of participants had an agricultural background with an annual income of less than R20,000.00. More than half (51.9 %) of the study population, had farming experience less than 5 years, while 52.9% owned less than 2 hectares of land, and 78.8% were self-employed. Findings revealed that age (χ2 = 5.519, P < 0.01) and farming experience (χ2 = 43.981, P < 0.001) had a significant association with extension contact and farming enterprises respectively. Furthermore, lack of land ownership, high input costs, access to credit, visibility of extension personnel, lack of market access, low returns, high cost of mechanization, and lack of farming knowledge were the most ranked constraints hindering youth involvement in agricultural activities. Youth involvement in agricultural activities can be improved through land availability, financial support, and information dissemination on rural development programs by extension personnel.

Short-Term Effect of Grazing Exclusion and Uncontrolled Grazing on Species Abundance, Dry Matter Yield and Nutritive Value in an Invaded Area by Euryops floribundus in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

Grazing exclusion (GE) is the most effective rangeland restoration technique which facilitates species diversity and forage quality. This study aimed at assessing short-term impact of GE and continuously grazed rangeland on relative frequency, dry matter yield and nutritive value of dominant grasses in an area invaded by Euryops floribundus. A plot of 2.5 ha was measured and the boundaries demarcated using tape measure and steal pins, the plot was further divided into two subplots of 1ha each which were 5 m apart. One subplot was fenced and protected from grazing livestock, while one subplot was grazed continuously and not fenced. Three parallel belt transects of 100 m × 2 m with 3 m apart were laid out in both subplots. Woody plants occurring within the transects were identified and recorded to determine density. In each subplot, a 0.25 m2 quadrant measuring was thrown randomly to take detailed records on plant species, relative frequency of species and herbage biomass. Four dominant species at the two sites were harvested to determine the nutritive value. Results indicate that grazing exclusion (GE) facilitates grass species diversity, subsequently sixteen and thirteen grasses species were recorded in the GE and uncontrolled grazed (UG) sites, respectively. Eragrostis chloromelas (21.7%), and Themeda triandra (13.2%) had high relative frequencies in the GE site. Highest biomass production was recorded in the GE site (1400 kg·ha-1) compared to UG site (1102 kg·ha-1). Crude protein content was relatively lower at UG site (5.4% - 5.8%) as compared to GE site (7.2% - 7.8%). It was concluded that, GE showed a positive impact on a relative frequency (%), dry matter yield and crude protein content. UG creates a conducive environment for Euryops recruitment. Further studies are required to examine the impact of GE in long-term trial setup.

Productivity Evaluation of Four Medicago sativa Cultivars under Two Water Regimes (Irrigated and Non-Irrigated) and Two Soil Types at Bathurst Research Station in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Medicago sativa (lucerne) is a perennial and drought tolerant fodder crop which is widely used as feed for livestock in South Africa. This study evaluated four lucerne cultivars under two water regimes and also determined the effect of soil type on lucerne biomass production. To determine dry matter production per cultivar per treatment, a random grid (quadrant) sampling method was used and all biomass within that radius was cut to 5 cm above the ground level in each plot. All biomass sampling was done just before regrowth commences. Biomass data collection on four lucerne cultivars belonging to different dormancy groupings (WL 711, WL 525 HQ, KKS 9911 and SA Standard) were collected seasonally under different soil types on both irrigated and non-irrigated plots and analysed. Soil type (site) had a significant (P < 0.05) effect on the overall quantity of dry matter produced as more dry matter was produced in site 2 (S2) in comparison to site 1 (S2). Different levels of water application (moisture supplementation) also affected the quantity of dry matter produced in each soil type. The once-a-month irrigation treatment (Ir1) led to the production of superior dry matter yield on SI even though the effect was not significant. In S2 twice a month irrigation treatment (Ir2) produced the highest dry matter, however, this effect was significant (P < 0.05) only in comparison with zero irrigation (Ir0) treatment. Cultivar 3 (KKS 9911) was the least productive cultivar in S1, while the same cultivar was the least productive cultivar in S2. These findings show that both soil type and irrigation levels had a significant (P < 0.05) effect on the total dry matter production of the tested Lucerne cultivars belonging to different dormancy groupings.

Short-Term Influence of Burning on Species Abundance, Biomass Production, Wood Plant Density and Browsing Unit in an Albany Thicket of the Eastern Cape, South Africa

Fire is regarded as management practice for maintaining grasslands and savannas. The vegetation occurring in fire prone areas becomes highly adapted to fire occurrences in savannas and grasslands. However, documentation on the influence of burning on vegetation is still limited in an albany thicket biome. The aim of the study was to evaluate the short-term influence of burning on species abundance, biomass production, wood plant density and browsing unit. Six plots (2500 m2) were demarcated;in each plot two parallel transects of 120 m2 with 5 m distance apart were measured. Three plots were burned in spring season, while no burning was done on the other remaining plots. Forty points per plot were obtained using step-point method to determine the relative abundance at burned and unburned plots. Woody plants occurred within a transect were identified, counted and recorded to determine density and browsing unit. Three quadrats (i.e. 0.25 m2) per plot were randomly laid within the transect;aboveground plant material within a quadrat were harvested. A total of 18 samples were harvested and oven dried at 60˚C for 48 hours to determine biomass production. The results showed that Themeda triandra (14%) and Panicum maximum (10%) were most abundant grass species at the burned plots. Burned plots had significantly higher biomass production (4804 kg/ha) compared to unburned plots (3641 kg/ha). Vachellia karoo (burned: 65.85% & unburn: 13.70%) and Searsia pallens (burned: 26.83% & unburned: 6.85%) were most dominant wood plant species at both burned and unburned plots. Burned plots had the highest browsing unit (3221 BU/ha) compared to unburned plots (2058 BU/ha). The decrease of woody plants at the burned plots proved that fire has a tremendous potential for managing woody plants. This study provided information on short-term influence of burning, however further long-term trials are required to determine the effects of burning.

Nutritive Value of Four Lucerne Cultivars Planted in Two Soil Types at Bathurst Research Station, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Medicago sativa (lucerne) is a widely used perennial fodder crop and ranked amongst the highly nutritive fodders globally. This study assessed the nutritive value (i.e. CP % and TDN %) of four lucerne cultivars under two soil types at Bathurst Research Station. A random grid (quadrant) sampling method was used for sampling and samples were submitted to the laboratory for analysis to determine forage quality. Data collection was carried out by separating harvested biomass for each cultivar using clean packs, weighed and dried at 70&#730;C for 48 hours then crude protein (CP %) and Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN %) were determined. The results of the study showed that soil type (site) had a significant (P < 0.05) effect on the overall quality of dry matter produced. In soil 1 (S1) the overall CP % content was 11.48% while it was 19.03% in soil 2 (S2). Cultivar 3 (KKS 9911) was the least nutritive cultivar in site 1, while the same cultivar was the most nutritive cultivar in site 2 pertaining CP content. Soil type also significantly affected (P < 0.05) the overall total digestible nutrient (TDN %) content of different lucerne cultivars. In S1, C4 (WL 525) had the highest (P < 0.05) TDN content in comparison to the rest of the cultivars while in the same soil type C1 (SA Std.) had the least TDN content. The four tested lucerne cultivars generally produced highly nutritive lucerne in S2 while they produced less nutritive lucerne in relation to both CP and TDN content in S1.