Calliandra calothyrsus was cut back at monthly intervals during the rainy season between January and May to determine which period of cutting gives the highest quantity and quality of dry matter in August, the peak of the dry season, when a lack of fodder is most acute. In both 1992 and 1993, the highest quantity of dry season production was obtained from the plots that were harvested in February, six months before the driest month. Crude protein content of the dry season fodder was not significantly influenced by the time of harvest in the rainy season. How the fodder produced in the dry season is to be used to satisfy the digestible protein needs of 3.5 goats for a 90-day period in the highlands of Burundi and how the leafy biomass harvested in the rainy season is to be used to support crop production are discussed.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00705467Altmetric score:
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Publication year
1994
Authors
Language
English
Keywords
calliandra calothyrsus, cuttings, dry season, fodder
Geographic
Burundi
