Effects of grazing intensity to water source on grassland condition, yield and nutritional content of selected grass species in Northwest Ethiopia

Background:Savanna grasslands are globally important ecosystems consisting of one of the most extensive grazing lands with unique biodiversity.The objectives of the study were to assess the effect of grazing intensity on grassland ecosystem condition,herbaceous plant biomass production,and nutritional content of selected grass species.Methods:The study was conducted at Chagni Ranch,Northwest Ethiopia.Four transects to water source point at regular intervals of 20m between sampling plots along transects were used for data collection.The distance between the four transects was 200m in radius.Data were collected on grass composition,basal cover,litter cover,number of seedlings,and age distribution of dominant grasses(i.e.,young,medium,or old in terms of stage of maturity),soil condition in terms of soil compaction,and soil erosion linked to the effects of trampling by grazing animals along transects(hereafter referred to as transect)to water source point.The total sample size for grass species was 160 plots.The grassland ecosystem condition,herbaceous biomass,and grass nutritional content were used as response variables linked to transect from water source point.The effects of transect on grassland ecosystem condition scores and grass nutritional content were analyzed using the analysis of variance(ANOVA).Results:Grassland condition factors like grass composition,basal cover,litter cover,age distribution of dominant grasses,and soil condition were significantly(P<0.05)higher for the furthest transect to water source point than nearest transect.Out of the 28 identified herbaceous species,grasses accounted for 64.3%of the herbaceous community.Within grass species,about 55.6%were highly desirable in terms of palatability and grazing value(as most palatable species are susceptible to heavy grazing intensity).The results showed a significantly(P<0.05)higher proportion of perennial grasses at the furthest transect to water source point than nearest transect.The dry matter yield at the furthest transect(TD4)and third transect(TD3)were significantly(P<0.05)higher than the nearest transect to water source point(i.e.,the first transect(TD1)and second transect(TD2)).Ash,neutral detergent fiber,acid detergent fiber,and acid detergent lignin contents of Cynodon dactylon,Sporobolus pyramidalis,and Digitaria ternata were significantly(P<0.05)higher at the furthest transect to water source point than nearest transect.Grazing intensity had no significant effect on the crude protein content of Cynodon dactylon and Sporobolus pyramidalis at different transects.Conclusions:The results showed that the furthest transect to water source point were in good condition.Grass biomass production and the nutritional contents of grasses were higher for the furthest transect to water source point.The results suggested that increased grazing intensity towards water source point greatly reduced the abundance of desirable perennial grasses and the sustainability of grassland for livestock production.

Comparative Nutritional Analysis on Fish Meal and Meat and Bone Meal of Harmless Treatment of Dead Pig Carcass

In order to explore the resource utilization of the harmless treatment product(pork meat and bone meal,abbreviated PM)of pigs died of non-communicable diseases,the general nutritional components and amino acid composition of PM and fish meal were determined and compared.The results showed that the contents of moisture,crude protein,crude fat and ash in PM and fish meal were 3.25%and 8.92%,66.65%and 66.67%,13.52%and 8.23%,18.25%and 21.50%,respectively.The contents of essential amino acids(EAA)in PM and fish meal were 19.94%and 22.35%,respectively.For PM and fish meal,the first limiting amino acid was Met(methionine)+Cys(cysteine),and the second limiting amino acid was Lys(lysine);their essential amino acid indexes(EAAI)were 66.60 and 77.04,respectively;and their delicious amino acid(DAA)contents were 26.89%and 23.15%,respectively.In summary,the meat and bone meal of pigs died of non-communicable diseases has the characteristics of high protein and low ash contents,and has certain development and utilization potential as a recycled waste resource,especially in aquatic feed to replace fish meal.

Assessment of iodine nutritional status of people in Qinghai Province after the content of salt iodine decreased

Objective To understand the iodine nutritional status of people in Qinghai Province after implementation of new standard of salt iodine,and provide the basis for prevention and control of iodine deficiency disorders.Methods The monitoring data of 2011 and 2014

Nutritional and antinutritional compounds in leaves of quinoa

In the context of climate change,especially for the temperate continental climate,new potential crop species are emerging,originating from the tropics.One of them is quinoa(Chenopodium quinoa Willd.)with multiple benefits for seed and leaf production.Quinoa is native to South America,grown mainly for seeds,with a high ecological plasticity.Little is known about the potential of using quinoa plants as a leafy vegetable for food diversification.In this study,the nutritional and antinutritional content of quinoa leaves was evaluated in three cultivars(Titicaca,Puno,Vikinga),considering different densities and times of sowing.Puno cultivar had a higher total content of carbohydrates,lipids,proteins and dietary fibers,and lower mineral contents in leaves.Low levels of antinutrient compounds were found in Vikinga leaves.Regarding the time of the crop establishment,the highest content of primary metabolic compounds(carbohydrates,lipids,proteins,dietary fibers)was achieved by April 17,the sowing date.Crop densities of 7.7,3.2,and 1.6 mil.plants/ha did not significantly influence the content of compounds with antinutritive role,such as oxalates,saponins or trypsin inhibitors.The content of mineral elements such as:Fe,Zn,Na and K were significantly influenced by the cultivar,compared to Mg and Ca whose values were insignificant regardless of the treatment.