Enhancement of Grassland Production Through Integration of Forage Legumes in Semi-Arid Rangelands of Kenya

Livestock production in semi-arid rangelands of Kenya is limited by the seasonal quantity and quality of fodder. Kirkman & Carvalho (2003) stated that these inter- and intra-seasonal quality and quantity fluctuations result in nutrient deficits that severely limit livestock production potential. The objective of this experiment was to study the effect of three forage legumes on the production of natural pastures in semi-arid rangelands of Kenya

Dry matter yields and hydrological properties of three perennial grasses of a semi-arid environment in east Africa

Enteropogon macrostachyus (Bush rye), Cenchrus ciliaris L. (African foxtail grass) and Eragrostis superba Peyr (Maasai love grass) are important perennial rangeland grasses in Kenya. They provide an important source of forage for domestic livestock and wild ungulates. These grasses have been used extensively to rehabilitate denuded patches in semi-arid environment of Kenya. This study investigated the dry matter yields and hydrological properties of the three grasses under simulated rainfall at three phenological stages; early growth, elongation and reproduction. Laboratory seed viability tests were also done. Hydrological properties of the three grasses were estimated using a Kamphorst rainfall simulator. Results showed that there was a significant difference (p > 0.05) in dry matter yields and soil hydrological properties at the different grass phenological stages. Generally, all the three grasses improved the soil hydrological properties with an increase in grass stubble height. C. ciliaris gave the best soil hydrological properties followed by E. macrostachyus and E. superba, respectively. E. macrostachyus recorded the highest seed viability percentage. C. ciliaris and E. superba were ranked second and third, respectively. C. ciliaris yielded the highest biomass production at the reproductive stage followed by E. superba and E. macrostachyus, respectively. (Résumé d'auteur

The Impact of Rangeland Condition and Trend to the Grazing Resources of a Semi-arid Environment in Kenya

ABSTRACT A research study was conducted in Mashuru Division of Kajiado District, Kenya with the objective of analyzing the types of vegetation degradation, their causes and their influence on rangeland condition and trend. The study was conducted through remote sensing tools, ground truthing, interviews, community workshop and literature. The results of the study showed that excessive use of the woody species by humans for woodfuel, building and fencing materials, medicine and ornamentals had led to the deterioration of the rangeland due to a loss of cover, change in plant composition and biodiversity. On the other hand, overgrazing and ecological succession of the grazing lands had led to further vegetation degradation in form of bush encroachment and thickening. These types of vegetation degradation have had an overall effect of loss of grass cover and hence loss of grazing capacity by livestock, especially cattle. The causes of vegetation decrease or increase over the last 30 years have been due to deforestation (trees and shrubs), bush encroachment and thickening, change in plant species composition and natural calamities such as droughts, wild fires and army worm invasions at various times. The overall results indicated that there has been a downward trend in range condition over the last 30 years which has affected the livestock productivity of the area

Influence of seed bed preparation on morphometric characteristics of Eragrostis superba, Cenchrus ciliaris and Enteropogon macrostachyus in southeastern drylands of Kenya

This study compared over a 6-month period effects of tractorploughing and hand-clearing seedbed preparation on morphometric characteristics of three arid and semi-arid grass species, namely; Eragrostis superba Peyr, Cenchrus ciliaris L and Enteropogon macrostachyus (Hochst ex A Rich) Monro ex Benth. Seedling mortality was significantly higher under handclearing than tractor-ploughing. Tractor - ploughing also gave better growth, and biomass yield

Guidelines for emergency livestock off-take handbook

Kenya’s agricultural sector accounts for 20–30% of the gross domestic product (GDP). Of this, the livestock sector alone makes a contribution of about 50%. Thus, livestock contributes heavily to the GDP and food security of its population. It also provides the necessary thrust for other forms of development in the country. Recent statistics indicate that currently over 50% of the country’s livestock population is based in the arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs), which form about 80% of the country’s land area. However, comparative international statistics show that livestock contributes 88% of the total agricultural output in Botswana even though the country has half Kenya’s livestock population and is of less agricultural potential. Thus, there is a huge potential contribution that livestock can make to the Kenyan national economy. Unfortunately, this sector receives only 10% of the government’s agricultural expenditure and less than one per cent of total spending, yet it is estimated that Kenya’s potential to export livestock products if adequately exploited would earn more than the earnings from tea and coffee combined. This then calls for new thinking about livestock development strategies to harness the arid land

Improving soil hydrological properties of denuded semi-arid rangeland in southeastern Kenya using reseeding technology

A study was conducted to establish the contribution of Eragrostis superba, Enteropogon macrostachyus and Cenchrus ciliaris in improving soil hydrological properties in semi-arid Kenya. Kamphorst rainfall simulator was used on bare ground and at different grass stubble heights. The experiment was set up under sprinkler irrigation system. Sediment production as a function of runoff and infiltration capacity was significantly different (p<0.05) at different stubble heights. Cenchrus ciliaris had the greatest influence on improving soil hydrological properties followed by Enteropogon macrostachyus and Eragrostis superba respectively. An increase in grass height increased infiltration capacity, reduced runoff and sediment production

Different land use types in the semi-arid rangelands of Kenya influence soil properties

Rangelands in semi-arid Kenya have recently witnessed extensive land use changes. These changes can mainly be attributed to increased livestock populations and the response of the increased human population to both local and exogenous opportunities and constraints. This study was carried out in Kibwezi district of Kenya mainly inhabited by agro-pastoralists. The main objective of this study was to establish how different land use types influence soil properties in tropical semi-arid rangelands. Disturbed and undisturbed soil samples from three land use types namely cultivated land (CL), grazing land (GL) and fallow land (FL) at a depth of 15-30cm were collected and analyzed using standard laboratories for soil nutrients and soil physical properties. Results show open grazing lands (CEC 19.59 meq/100g) to be more fertile than cultivated (13.88 meq/100g) and fallow (6.40 meq/100g) lands. This was attributed to the continuous dropping of faecal material by grazing livestock. Higher bulk density in grazing land (1.36 g/cm3) compared to cultivated and fallow lands with 1.29 g/cm3 and 1.33 g/cm3 was attributed to the hoof action of livestock. These results suggest that different land use types in the semi-arid rangelands contribute immensely to soil properties