Effects of bush thinning on shoot resprouts and forage nutritive value of Acacia mellifera subsp. detinens in a semi-arid Camelthorn Savanna
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Date
2019-11
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Namibia University of Science and Technology
Abstract
Bush encroachment affects the most symbolic vegetation type in Namibia, the savanna which constitutes 64% of the land area. Savannas are event-driven and with proper management could return to their original state. Although bush control is seen as costly by most farmers, using the encroacher bush as livestock fodder could offer farmers an incentive to thin the bush, but little is known on using resprouts from the thinned bush as livestock fodder. This study determines the effects of bush thinning on shoot resprouts and forage nutritive value of Acacia mellifera subsp. detinens in a semi-arid camelthorn savanna. Resprouts were monitored for three different seasons, at different stump diameters and analysed for nutritive value in comparison to mature trees. Season of harvest did not have a significant effect on the number of resprouts however, more resprouts were seen when bush was thinned during the hot-wet season. Stump basal diameter did not have a significant effect on the number of resprouts although smaller trees with diameters in the range of 5cm-11cm showed more resprouts. Resprouts had a high nutritional value and were more palatable compared to mature trees.
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Keywords
Bush thinning, bush encroachment, Acacia mellifera subsp. detinens, shoot, resprouts, forage nutritive value.
Citation
Hoveka, H. (2020). Effects of bush thinning on shoot resprouts and forage nutritive value of Acacia mellifera subsp. detinens in a semi-arid Camelthorn Savanna. [Masters thesis, Namibia University of Science and Technology].