Contribution of Browsing on Livestock Feeding in Abu Zaid Forest-East Nile Locality-Khartoum State

Abstract

The study was conducted in Sharg El Neel locality El Khartoum state in Abu ziad forest. The study aimed to assess the role of browse trees for livestock feeding in the area. The sampling in trees was selected randomly by using Global Positioning System (GPS), was select 10 Feddan which be equivalent 1% of the study area, the samples were distributed along transect of 100m. The study measured the following measurement; Trees density, Browsing level, Diameter at browsing point, Determination of available browsing productivity, Crown area, Stem diameter. Also organic matter of browse was analyzed by using the Near Infrared Spectrometer (NIR) to determine the forage quality. SAS statistical analysis system was used using Duncan’s procedure to separate the means. . The study found that the relative density of Acacia ehrenbergiana (Salam) was high density it reached about 120 tree/ha, in contrast, Acacia tortilis subsp tortilis (Sammar) recorded less density, reaching only 38 tree/ha. The mean diameter of twig at browsing point of Acacia ehrenbergiana (Salam) was 1.87 mm, while Acacia tortilis subsp tortilis twig diameter at browsing point was 1.6 mm. It was concluded that there was variation of tree height among tree species, Acacia ehrenbergiana (Salam) recorded high browsing level (2.68m) compared Acacia tortilis subsp tortilis browsing level (1.77m). The study recommended that the Acacia erenhergiana and Acacia tortilis subsp tortilis were dominant species should be managed sustainably and considered in the management process.