I have been looking for a comprehensive review that compares African grasses, both cultivated and wild in terms of productivity and feed quality for livestock. There are some studies looking at grasses in national parks and the intake by wild mammals. I wonder whether somebody evaluated the literature for farm animals (large and small ruminants). I would appreciate suggestions and links to resources. Ideally, we build a database with this.
https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9780792318675
Might be a good start?
I am afraid there is not comprehensive key / revision of the African grasses. I recommend to start with works of A. Melderis, a famous Latvian-British botanist of the 20th century.
I come across the paper below which could be of interest. You might wish to conduct a systematic literature review to synthesize what is known and need to be known.
Best,
- Pamo, E. T., Boukila, B., Fonteh, F. A., Tendonkeng, F., Kana, J. R., & Nanda, A. S. (2007). Nutritive value of some grasses and leguminous tree leaves of the Central region of Africa. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 135(3), 273-282. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2006.07.001
- Adjolohoun, S., Bindelle, J., Adandédjan, C., & Buldgen, A. (2008). Some suitable grasses and legumes for ley pastures in Sudanian Africa: the case of the Borgou region in Benin. Biotechnologie, Agronomie, Société et Environnement, 12(4), 405-419.
- Bamikole, M. A., Ezenwa, I., Akinsoyinu, A. O., Arigbede, M. O., & Babayemi, O. J. (2001). Performance of West African dwarf goats fed Guinea grass–Verano stylo mixture, N-fertilized and unfertilized Guinea grass. Small Ruminant Research, 39(2), 145-152. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0921-4488(00)00182-6
- Mwakha, E. (1972). Effect of Cutting Frequency on Productivity of Napier and Guatemala Grasses in Western Kenya. East African Agricultural and Forestry Journal, 37(3), 206-210. doi: 10.1080/00128325.1972.11662527
Thank you very much for suggesting this literature. Indeed a systematic review would be a good idea
Consider "Grasses of southern Africa" by Gibbs Russell et al.: https://archive.org/details/grassesofsouther00gegi
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