Publication Date
1993
Description
Pastures of Digitaria decumbens (Dd) and Cynodon nlemfuensis (Cn) were each grazed by 64 native suckling ewes ( 40 ewes/ha) in Martinique. Forage characteristics, ewe feeding behaviour and lamb growth were studied. The available herbage mass (kg DMJLW0-75/day) was lower for the Dd pastures than for the Cn pastures: 295 v. 355 for the leaves (P<0.05) and 820 v, 1360 for the stems (P<0.01), respectively. There was no difference in the diurnal activities (grazing, ruminating) between the ewes in the 2 groups. Number of bites/min was higher on Dd pasture than that for Cn: 31 v. 26 (P<0.001), Preweaning daily weight gain (g/day) was higher for the Dd lambs group than for Cn: 170 v. 140 (P<0.01). The lamb mortality rate(%) was respectively: 15 v. 27 (P<0.05). Pasture management problems are discussed.
Citation
Boval, Maryline; Alexandre, Gisele; Mahieu, M; Cruz, P; and Meuret, M, "Comparative Use of Digitaria decumbens and Cynodon nlemfuensis by Local Suckling Ewes in Martinque (FWI)" (2025). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 17.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1993/session55/17
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Comparative Use of Digitaria decumbens and Cynodon nlemfuensis by Local Suckling Ewes in Martinque (FWI)
Pastures of Digitaria decumbens (Dd) and Cynodon nlemfuensis (Cn) were each grazed by 64 native suckling ewes ( 40 ewes/ha) in Martinique. Forage characteristics, ewe feeding behaviour and lamb growth were studied. The available herbage mass (kg DMJLW0-75/day) was lower for the Dd pastures than for the Cn pastures: 295 v. 355 for the leaves (P<0.05) and 820 v, 1360 for the stems (P<0.01), respectively. There was no difference in the diurnal activities (grazing, ruminating) between the ewes in the 2 groups. Number of bites/min was higher on Dd pasture than that for Cn: 31 v. 26 (P<0.001), Preweaning daily weight gain (g/day) was higher for the Dd lambs group than for Cn: 170 v. 140 (P<0.01). The lamb mortality rate(%) was respectively: 15 v. 27 (P<0.05). Pasture management problems are discussed.