HERBACEOUS FEED RESOURCES, THEIR NUTRITIONAL VALUES, AND METACERCARIA CONTAMINATION IN NATURAL WETLAND CONDITIONS, GAMO ZONE, SOUTH ETHIOPIA

Abstract

The study was carried out to assess availability of feed resources, to analyze their nutritional value, and to identify Fascioliasis metacercaria from herbage in wetland conditions of three different agro-ecologies (Lowland, Midland and Highland) in Gamo Zone. Total 171 randomly selected housholds provided data, which was obtained through group interviews, key informant interviews, formal surveys, and secondary data, was analyed using (SPSS, version 20). Assessment of herbaceous vegetation species, chemical composition, and metacercaria contamination were conducted in 432 sub plots having 0.5m × 0.5m quadrant size 144 from each of the three agro-ecologies. Data obtained from the vegetation variables were subjected to analysis of variance using (GLM) procedure of SAS version 9.0. Results show that, average livestock holding in TLU was 2.88. The study revealed that majority of dry and all wet season livestock feeds resources come from natural wetland pasture. The result indicated that a total 36 plant species was identified 61.1%, 8.3%, and 30.6 % grass, legumes, and sedges species, respectively. The higher mean abundance of the herbaceous species in highland agro-ecology 34.07 number per 0.25m2 significantly (P<0.05) higher value was recorded 21.60 number per 0.25m2 , and 31.66 number per 0.25m2 in lowland, and midland agro-ecologies respectively. The species diversities of vegetation showed that highland agro-ecology 2.56 significantly (P<0.05) higher value was recorded than that of midland (2.48) and lowland agro-ecology 2.39 sites. The mean herbaceous biomass production in midland agro ecology (894 kg/ha) was significantly (P<0.05) higher than that of highland (744 kg/ha), and lowland (733 kg/ha). The content of DM % of grass species higher value in lowland agro ecology (93.15%) followed by midland (91.30%) and highland agro ecology (90.45%). The CP content of the grass species varied from (6.51%) lowland to (13.29 %) highland agro- ecological. The overall mean value of NDF 60.16% and IVDMD (45.67 %) of content grass species, in the current study area. The higher numbers of metacercaria abundance from the herbaceous species were observed species like Loudetia kagerensis (750 number per kg), Trifolium burchellianum, (578 number per kg), and Scirpus maritimus (600 number per kg) herbage in lowland, midland and highland agro ecology respectively. Generally, study highlights the potential of herbaceous species to support livestock production if the wetland is properly rehabilitated and managed.