Productivity of four sesbania species on two soil types in Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, lack of quality forage in adequate quantities is a major constraint to livestock productivity. Fast growing N₂ fixing Sesbania have shown great promise both as high quality fodder and green manure. The objective of this study was to evaluate and select among the species S. macrantha, S. rostrata, S quadrata and S. sesban for fodder yield, quality and green manure potential. The field experiment was conducted on a light soil (loam, Alfisol) and a heavy soil (cracking type clay, Vertisol) at Debre Zeit (9° N and 39° E, 45 kms SE of Addis Ababa). There were two cutting treatments: cutting once at ground level or cutting twice at 50 cm (first, 65 days after sowing; second, 40 days later). A two-factor factorial in randomized block design was used. S. macrantha performed better on the light soil producing the highest dry matter (DM) yields of leaf (2.8 t/ha), stem (6.3 t/ha) and total nitrogen (151 kg/ha) in 105 days than the rest of the species. Most species performed poorly on the heavy soil. S. quadrata, however, showed better adaptability to the heavy soil (5.5 t/ha DM) than any of the other species. The lowest DM yield was recorded for S. rostrat which could be due to poor nodulation. Cutting twice over the 105 days growth period caused a drastic reduction in DM yield, but resulted in higher leaf-to-stem ratio and total N yield. The nutritional composition of all the species was within an acceptable range for livestock requirements. N content (4%) and IVDMD (over 70%) were high. S. macrantha had superior overall performance and seems promising both as high quality fodder and green manure crop. Under rain-fed conditions, cutting once was better than cutting twice particularly for S. macrantha. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Crop yields of rice and wheat grown in rotation as intercrops with three tree species in the outer hills of Western Himalaya

Studies on tree crop interaction under rainfed condition in Dehradun valley were conducted for 13 years during 1977 to 1990. Grewia optiva (Bhimal), Morus alba (Mulbery) and Eucalyptus hybrid were tried along with rice (CV: Akashi) — wheat (CV: RR-21) rotation. One-year-old tree seedlings of the above tree species were planted in line, 5 m apart in N-S direction, in July 1977, in the middle of the plot (size 20 m × 20 m). Eucalyptus was first harvested in 1987. Grewia optiva, Morus alba and coppice of Eucalyptus were harvested in 1990. All tree species had depressing effect on crop yields. Eucalyptus had maximum effect in depressing crop yield till the first harvest and had least effect thereafter. From 1987 onwards, Morus alba affected rice most, while wheat was mostly affected by Grewia optiva. The depressing effect on an average varied from 28 to 34% depending upon the species.Distance of tree line from the crop significantly affected the crop yield upto a distance of 5 m and there was 39% decrease in crop yield upto 1 m, 33% from 1–2 m, 25% from 2–3 m and 12% from 3–5 m distance. Annual removal of lops and tops from trees partly compensated the deficit. Grewia optiva could produce 1.08 t ha^–1 yr^–1 of branches and 0.26 t ha^–1 yr^–1 of leaves (air dry) and 1.28 t ha^–1 yr^–1 of branches and 0.28 t ha^–1 yr^–1 of leaves were obtained from Morus alba. Wood (ADT) produced by the trees was 33.6 t ha^–1 from Eucalyptus, 9.5 t ha^–1 from Grewia optiva and 11.6 t ha^–1 from Morus alba.     

Fruit production ofAcacia tortilis andA. nilotica in semi-arid Ethiopia

Dry, dehiscent fruits ofAcacia tortilis provide important fodder for pastoral livestock in dry seasons on the central Borana Plateau, fruits ofA. nilotica may also be useful during drought. Information was needed on fruit yield to assess what these species could contribute to improved calf feeding systems based on local resources. Fruit production of 10 mature trees per species was measured at five sites for seven months during 1988–9 (n=50 per species). Fruit yields varied according to site, season and species x site (each atP<0.001), but there was no main effect of species (P=0.13). Yields were not correlated with trunk diameter at breast height (DBH) or canopy area within or across species (P>0.05 in all cases). Yields ranged from 0 to 40 kg DM per tree overall, with an average of 5.3 kg DM per tree (or 65 g DM/m² of canopy area). This average tree had a DBH of 26 cm and a canopy area of 81 m². Low and highly variable fruit yields appear to constrain enhanced use of these species here. These species warrant further attention in research and development, however, given their strategic value as forage resources in pastoral systems and their ability to persist in variable environments.     

The productivity of Tipuana tipu under three cutting regimes in southeast Queensland

The tree legume Tipuana tipu, which has potential as a browse species in sub-tropical regions, was subjected to three cutting frequency regimes of 6, 8 and 12 week intervals at a cutting height of 1 m. Cutting at 12 week intervals gave a total leaf yield of 4.02 t/ha/year which was significantly higher than the other two treatments. There was 100% survival of all plants in all treatments over 2 years and the implications of the results for the management of Tipuana tipu in a hedgerow system for folder production are discussed.     

Herbage yield and quality of Gliricidia sepium under different cutting heights and defoliation frequencies

The browse shrub Gliricidia sepium, introduced into the subhumid zone of Nigeria to serve as a supplementary-forage source for ruminant during the dry season, has the undesirable characteristic of shedding its leaves during its flowering phase which coincides with the early dry season. This report relates a management practice undertaken to maintain G. sepium in vegetative growth through the dry season. Evaluation was undertaken on the influence of cutting to different heights and defoliation at different frequencies. Eight different accessions of the species were involved in the study. Cutting generally ensured vegetative growth during the early dry season, with greater shoot development observed at a cutting height of 0.7 m than at two lower heights. Under the double harvest regime, dry matter yield was generally highest at first harvest and significantly (P < 0.05) so at a cutting height of 0.3 m than at 0.5 or 0.7 m. Accession HYB yielded more dry matter than three other accessions harvested once. Cutting to 0.7 m yielded more leaves than cutting at lower heights. The foliage contained adequate levels of organic matter, crude protein and the minerals, Ca and P while the accession HYB consistently maintained a higher dry matter yield than the other accessions.     

The effect of cutting height and frequency on the forage,wood and seed production of sixSesbania sesban accessions

The forage, wood and seed production of sixSesbania sesban accessions was assessed under irrigated conditions for two cutting frequencies and heights. Control trees were left uncut to measure their seed production potential. The trial was conducted over an 18-month period. The fastest growing accession produced almost 10 t/ha total dry matter (DM) after six months of growth, 40% of it being leaves. Total DM yield was higher at the six-month cutting interval compared to the three months' interval with yields between 25–42 t/ha/year. Some accessions could not sustain their high level of production but showed drastic drops in yield after repeated cutting. In general leaf DM production increased with increased cutting height. When cut at 150 cm the DM leaf yield at the three-month cutting interval ranged form 9.7–18.2 t/ha. More plants survived at the three-month cutting frequency. Seed yields varied considerably between accessions (0.02–1.56 t/ha at the six months' interval). After 18 months of undisturbed growth the trees yielded 36.5–83.7 t/ha total DM comprising 21% leaves. Fresh wood biomass ranged between 56.4–138.0 t/ha and seed yields 2.7–6.6 t/ha.     

Canker disease of willow and poplar caused by Cryptosphaeria pullmanensis recorded in China

A new canker disease of Salix alba and Populus alba has been observed in Xinjiang, China. Black circular spots on dead branches and stems are the symptoms of the disease. Sixty‐seven isolates recovered from Salix matsudana, S. alba and Populus alba were identified as Cryptosphaeria pullmanensis based on morphological features and multigene phylogeny. Pathogenicity tests were performed on S. alba and P. alba stems using the C. pullmanensis isolates. Cankers on and Cryptosphaeria pullmanensis of C. pullmanensis from the stems fulfilled Koch's postulates and confirmed C. pullmanensis as the causal agent of the canker disease. C. pullmanensis is characterized by its yellow stromatic tissue surrounded by a black conceptacle with regularly arranged multiple locules sharing common walls and hyaline, allantoid, aseptate conidia (mean size 7.42 × 1.72 μm). This is the first report of C. pullmanensis causing Cryptosphaeria canker in China, and S. alba and P. alba are new host records for C. pullmanensis.     

Alchornea cordifolia,a promising indigenous browse species adapted to acid soils in southeastern Nigeria for integrated crop-livestock agroforestry production systems

Dry matter (DM) production, crude protein, phosphorus fibre contents and goat preference for eight indigenous browse species,Alchornea cordifolia, Diallum guineense, Ficus capensis, Baphia nitida, Manniophytum fulvum, Homalium aylmeri, Glyphaea brevis andRauwolfia vomitoria, and for two exotics,Leucaena leucocephala andGliricidia sepium, in cultivated plots were compared on acid soil in southeastern Nigeria. Total DM production was higher (P<0.05) forAlchornea cordifolia than for the other browse species.Glyphaea brevis andL. leucocephala were the most preferred species, whileA. cordifolia, G. sepium andR. vomitoria were the least. Mean crude protein content of browse species in this study was higher, whileP and neutral detergent fibre were lower than reported for other browse species in Nigeria. It is argued that the ultimate goal of a crop-livestock agroforestry system such as alley farming, could be better achieved through the complementary use of browse species.     

Feed value of multipurpose fodder trees and shrubs in West Africa: edible forage production and nutritive value of Millettia thonningii and Albizia lebbeck

Millettia thonningii (Schum. & Thonn.) Bak., a nitrogen fixing shrub native to Africa and Albizia lebbeck Benth, were harvested at 0.50 m above ground level after one year of establishment to determine edible forage production. Harvests were made at the end of the main (April–August) and minor (September–November) wet, and dry (December–March) seasons for two years. Dry season edible forage samples were analyzed for concentrations of crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), cellulose (CL), soluble phenolics (SOPH) and proanthocyanidins (PAs). In sacco dry matter (DM) and nitrogen (N) degradation and in vitro gas production (GP) characteristics were also determined on dry season edible forage samples. Edible forage production of M. thonningii was significantly lower than A. lebbeck during the wet seasons. Millettia thonningii had relatively lower CP and PAs, but higher NDF, ADF, ADL, CL and SOPH than A. lebbeck. In sacco DM and N degradation and in vitro GP parameters of M. thonningii were significantly lower than A. lebbeck. Parameters of in sacco DM degradation and in vitro GP were highly correlated. Millettia thonningii appeared to be of lower feed value than A. lebbeck based on edible forage production, chemical composition, in sacco DM and N degradation and in vitro GP characteristics.     

Chemical composition,in vitro dry matter digestibility and in sacco degradability of selected browse species used as animal feeds under semi-arid conditions in Northern Ethiopia

The study was conducted in Abergelle district of Tigray, northern Ethiopia with the objectives of evaluating the chemical composition, in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) and in sacco degradability characteristics of foliages of major browse species. Samples of foliages from 12 and 10 browse species were collected during the wet and dry seasons, respectively. The samples of the browse species were collected based on their abundance in the district, preference by livestock to browse them, accessibility to browsing and their additional uses other than livestock feed. The neutral detergent fiber (NDF) was higher in the browse species during the wet compared to the dry season except for Sterculia africana and Ziziphus spina-christi. Similar trends were observed for acid detergent fiber (ADF) content except for Acacia asak. The condensed tannins content and the IVDMD of the browse species had inverse relationships in both seasons. The in sacco dry matter (DM) and nitrogen degradability parameters of the browse species were seasonally variable. Based on in sacco potential DM and nitrogen degradation of the browse species in both seasons, Acacia oerfota, Acacia tortilis, Balanites aegyptiaca, Boswellia papyrifera, Sterculia africana, Terminalia brownii and Ziziphus spina-christi were ranked to be superior in their nutritive value, and thus can have better use as animal feeds. Consequently, these browse species could be considered in agro-forestry systems for better integration of livestock production with available feed resources in semi-arid areas.     

Inter‐ and intraspecific variation and genotype × site interaction in Salix Alba L., S. Dasyclados Wimm. and S. viminalis L.

Three test series were planted on sites selected for their contrasting properties to study the genotype × site interaction. Various clones of Salix alba (8 clones in the 1980 series), S. dasyclados (8 clones in 1982 series) and S. viminalis (6, 9, 13 clones in the various series) were included. Growth capacity, survival and infection by rust fungi were analysed. Interspecific variation was seen at some of the sites in the 1982 series but it was pronounced in the 1980 series where 5. viminalis outgrew 5. alba at all sites. Intraspecific variation could be seen for growth capacity, survival and rust resistance. A genotype × site interaction was detected for all variables studied. Some of the interaction, especially at the species level, can be explained by the variation in susceptibility to rust fungi and preference for soil types. In the breeding work with Salix the genotype × site interaction must be considered.     

Agronomic evaluation of eleven Leucaena lines at Tumbi, Tabora, western Tanzania

Two trials were carried out over five growing seasons in western Tanzania to investigate (a) forage production and quality of eight lines of Leucaena leucocephala, one of L. diversifolia and one of L. esculenta and (b) the effect of cutting height (25, 50 and 75 cm) on forage production of nine lines of L. leucocephala and one of L. diversifolia. The locally naturalized lines, T1 and K1, were consistently better in yield, out-producing the commercial L. leucocephala cultivars Cunningham, Peru and K8 in three or four out of the five seasons' harvests. Mean daily dry matter yields for all lines decreased as the dry season progressed. Mean yields were 54.9, 28.6 and 12.8 kg/ha/day in the rainy season, late rainy season/early dry season and late dry season, respectively. The concentrations of N (2.3 to 3.1%), P (0.13 to 0.17%), K (0.7 to 1.3%), Ca (0.6 to 1.6%) and Mg (o.4 to 0.6%) in the edible forage declined as the dry season became pronounced but were at levels sufficient for animal production except for P levels, which were low. Three distinct yield groups emerged from responses to cutting height: cv. Cunningham produced the greatest yields of edible forage at 25 cm cutting height; cv. Peru, cv. K8, Korog, T1, CpI 90790 and CPI 58394 at 50 cm; and CPI 58398, CPI 84511 and CPI 85132 at 75 cm.     

Rumen degradation in sheep,goats and cattle and voluntary intake by sheep of four browse species

Two experiments were conducted using dried leaves ofAlchornea cordifolia, Ficus capensis, Manniophytum fulvum andAlbizza niopoides. In Experiment 1, dry matter (DM) degradation characteristics were investigated using thein sacco nylon bag technique in West African Dwarf (WAD) sheep, WAD goats and Bunaji steers. In Experiment 2, voluntary intake of the browse forage when fed as supplements to sheep at 0, 10 and 30% levels was measured. In Experiment 1,A. cordifolia andM. fulvum had significantly higher rapidly degradable DM fraction thanA. niopoides andF. capensis. Averaged across browse species, the extent of DM degradation for sheep (58.3%) was significantly higher than for goat (47.7%) or cattle (44.1%). Ranking order of browse species for the extent of DM degradation was:F. capensis>A. cordifolia=M. fulvum=A. niopoides. In Experiment 2, as the level of supplementation increased from 10 to 30%, voluntary intake ofA. niopoides andM. fulvum increased while voluntary intake ofA. cordifolia andF. capensis declined. The results suggest that dried leaves ofA. niopoides andM. fulvum are more acceptable to WAD sheep than those ofA. cordifolia andF. capensis.     

Forage dry matter yields and psyllid resistance of thirty-one leucaena selections in Hawaii

Forage yields ofL. leucocephala (Lam). de Wit have been reduced as the result of psyllid damage sinceHeteropsylla cubana Crawford invaded the Hawaiian Islands in 1984. The forage productivity and psyllid resistance of 31Leucaena species and interspecific hybrids were assessed from 5 harvests in Hawaii during 1991 and 1992. The trial consisted of an augmented randomized complete block with 22Leucaena selections in all 4 replicates, 2 selections in 3 replicates and 7 selections in 1 or 2 replicates.Forage (leaves and stems < 6 mm diam.) dry matter (DM) biomass yield over a 13-month period ranged from 1.4 to 34 Mg ha^–1 from total DM ranging from 1.9 to 63.7 Mg ha^–1. Percent forage fractions ranged from 49 to 78% (forage DM/total DM). The 10 selections in this trial of eitherL. pallida Britton & Rose, and its hybrids withL. leucocephala consistently produced both the highest forage and total DM yields averaging 22 and 40 Mg ha^–1, respectively. This represented a three-fold increase in forage production when compared toL. leucocephala K636 (a standard around the world).The excellent performance of theL. pallida lines was attributed to high psyllid resistance and seedling vigor. AllL. pallida selections with the exception of K953 exhibited good psyllid resistance.Leucaena diversifolia Benth. K749,L. pallida K376, andL. esculenta (Moc. & Sesse) Benth. K950 had the highest psyllid resistance (p<0.05). Psyllid damage was negatively correlated to forage DM yield at both harvest 2 and 5 (r=–0.55,p<0.01,n=94). Forage DM was positively correlated to seedling vigor for the first harvest (r=0.83,p<0.001,n=74) and combined harvests (r=0.88,p<0.001,n=74).     

Alley cropping on an Ultisol in subhumid Benin. Part 1: Long-term effect on maize, cassava and tree productivity

In southern Benin, West Africa, two alley cropping systems were studied from 1986 to 1992. Yield development was followed in a maize and cassava crop rotation vs. intercropping system, with alleys of Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit and Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. vs. a no-tree control, with and without NPK fertiliser. Without alleys, NPK fertilisation maintained high yield levels of 2–3 t maize dry grain plus 4–6 t ha^–1 cassava root DM in intercropping, 3–4 t ha^–1 maize and 6–10 t ha^–1 cassava in solercropping. Without NPK, final yields seemed to stabilise at about 1 t maize plus 2 t cassava in intercropping and twice as much in each solecrop. Alley cropping induced significant yield increases by about 50% with both tree species in unfertilised, intercropped maize, and with Cajanus in fertilised, solecropped cassava. In monetary terms, the NPK-fertiliser response of stabilised yields was significant for all treatments except the solecropped Leucaena alleys. It is concluded that on Ultisols with low nutrient status in the upper rooting zone, alley cropping with low-competitive tree species may improve food crop yields but the greatest monetary output is achieved by intercropping with mineral fertiliser independent of the presence or absence of an agroforestry component.     

Fodder Yield and Nutritive Value of Browse Species in West African Humid Tropics: Response to Age of Coppice Regrowth

Several indigenous and exotic browse species with potential for development of agroforestry technologies in the humid tropics of west Africa have been identified, but information on their fodder yield and quality, and how this is influenced by age of coppice regrowth is scanty and limited to a few species. The effect of age of coppice of regrowth (8, 12, 16, and 20 weeks) on fodder yield, and concentrations of crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), acid detergent lignin (lignin), and acid detergent ash (ADF-Ash) in the fodder of 27 browse species was studied in the humid forest zone of southeastern Nigeria. The fodder yield, and concentrations of NDF, ADF and lignin increased (p<0.05), while CP declined (p<0.05) with increasing age of coppice regrowth for all the browse species. The ADF-Ash concentrations of eight browse species increased linearly (p<0.05), while that of 19 species followed a quadratic (p<0.05) trend in response to increasing age of coppice regrowth. Bauhinia monandra, Calliandra calothyrsus, Dalbergia sissoo, Enterolobium cyclocarpum, Grewia pubescens, Gliricidia sepium, Leucaena leucocephala, Senna spectabilis, and Terminalia superba were identified to have high potential for the development of integrated crop-livestock agroforestry technologies in the west African humid tropics based on fodder yield, concentrations of CP, NDF, ADF and lignin. Coppice regrowth of the promising species could be harvested between 16 and 20 weeks to maximize yield and quality of the fodder. The results showed that fodder yield and chemical composition could be used to identify browse species for the development of agroforestry technologies for smallholder crop-livestock farming systems.     

Intake and relative palatability indices of acacia species fed to sheep and goats

An experiment was conducted to determine preference intake and relative palatability indices of Acacia karroo, Acacia nilotica, Acacia tortilis, Acacia sieberiana and Acacia rhemniana in sheep and goats using a completely randomized design. The size of Experimental Farm from which the browses were harvested was 1842.75 ha. The leaf samples were randomly collected from various young trees. The samples were analysed for proximate composition, measured for intake and relative palatability indices of sheep and goats. Dry matter (DM) content ranged from 917.4 to 936.8 g/kg DM and organic matter from 822.9 to 892.2 g/kg DM. All acacia species contained crude protein content (CP) of more than 7–17% required for grazing animals. The content of neutral detergent fibre (ADF) and acid detergent fibre ranged from 372.8 to 658.1 and 150.0 to 464.6 g/kg DM, respectively and were significantly (P < 0.05) different among the species. All of the acacia species had low levels (0–5.57 g/kg DM) of condensed tannins. The intakes of all feeds except A. karroo and A. rhemniana were high in both sheep and goats. The leaves from A. sieberiana had the highest palatability indice (Pi) while those of A. rhemniana had the lowest Pi in both sheep and goats. It was concluded that there was an effect of acacia species on intake and relative palatability indices. Species A. sieberiana, A. nilotica and A. tortilis have potential as livestock fodder, based on moderate to high CP value, low ADF, low tannins, high intake and relative palatability indices.     

Vegetative propagation of the threatened African wild olive [Olea europaea L. subsp. cuspidata (Wall. ex DC.) Ciffieri]

A rapid vegetative propagation method is described for Olea europaea L. subsp. cuspidata [Wall. ex DC.) Ciffieri (syn. Olea africana Mill.)]. Leafy branch cuttings were harvested from 6 to 7-month-old stecklings (= plants derived from rooted cuttings). Cuttings 2–3 mm in basal diameter were trimmed to 70–100 mm in length, with leaf areas reduced to 15–33 cm². Indolebutyric acid (IBA) was applied at 0, 10, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 µg/cutting to each of the 70–80 replicate cuttings randomly allocated to each of the 7 treatments. Callusing and rooting occurred 3–5 and 5–7 weeks after treatment, respectively. The rooting success of cuttings treated with 20 or 40 µg IBA/cutting was 75 and 90%, respectively. Differences in rooting success, speed of rooting and root numbers between the control and the IBA treatments were significant (p < 0.01). Compared to seedlings of similar shoot height, rooted cuttings grew significantly (p < 0.01) faster and produced more biomass. It is concluded from this study that the rooting of leafy branch cuttings derived from young stockplants of wild olive is rapid, and that vegetative propagation is an effective means of regenerating this valuable, yet threatened, tree species.     

Process studies in aPinus radiata-pasture agroforestry system in a subhumid temperature environment. II. Analysis of dry matter yields in the third year

In this paper we analyzed the dry matter yields (DM) produced in an agroforestry trial consisting of pine trees grown over (1) Control (bare ground), (2) ryegrass/clovers (Lolium perene/Trifolium spp.), (3) ryegrass only, and (4) lucerne (Medicago sativa) during the third growing season between 1992 and 1993. In addition these pastures were grown alone in separate plots in the open. The results show that:

Potential contribution of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus durata</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Adenostoma fasciculatum</Emphasis> supplemented with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Medicago sativa</Emphasis> on intake and digestibility in sheep and goats

A digestion trial was conducted to estimate the potential contribution of the chaparral browse Quercus durata (leather oak) and Adenostoma fasciculatum (chamise) on intake and nutrient digestion in goats and sheep. Four wether Kiko goats (avg. wt. 22.9 kg) and four wether Targhee sheep (avg. wt. 39.6 kg) were housed in metabolism cages. Alfalfa pellets were used as a dietary supplement. Digestibility of the shrubs was measured by difference and metabolizable energy (ME) and ME intake (MEI) were calculated from digestibility and plants intake values. Oak and chamise had low crude protein (CP) content (6.5 and 4.3% DM) and high content of extractable condensed tannins (17.8 and 9.8% DM). In vitro organic matter digestibility (OMD) and ME for oak and chamise were 35.6 and 33.1% and 5.0 and 4.7 MJ/kg DM, respectively. In vivo OMD (calculated by difference with alfalfa) and MEI, for browse were greater (P < 0.01) for goats fed chamise compared to sheep. In oak, OMD was similar for both animal species but MEI was greater (P < 0.01) for goats. Greater (P < 0.05) DM and CP intakes (per kg BW^0.75) were observed for goats fed either oak or chamise compared with sheep. When an energy source was given as supplement, the potential contribution of chamise and oak to total ME requirements for maintenance was about 58.3 and 60.4% in goats and about 17.1 and 32.9% in sheep, respectively. In consequence, metabolizable energy supplied by these shrubs may not be adequate for maintenance when, during grazing, they are consumed in high proportions with other chaparral plants that may have lower nutritional value than the alfalfa supplemented in this study. Under an appropriate supplementation program, goats could be more effective than sheep to control fuel load in California chaparral, as they consume more chamise and leather oak and obtain more nutrients from them.