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Agronomic and Nutritional Assessment of an Intensive Silvopastoral System: Tithonia Diversifolia, Sambucus nigra, Cynodon nlemfuensis, and Urochloa plantaginea

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Abstract

The main aim of the present study was: to assess the agronomic and nutritional value of an intensive silvopastoral system (ISS) composed of wild sunflower (T.diversifolia) and Elder (S.nigra) shrubs for cattle browsing, plus grass (star grass (C.nlemfuensis) and brachipará grass (U.plantaginea)) as traditional component of pastures, and to compare the forage production with a monoculture of only grass. Fodder production at pruning, the growth and fodder production of shrubs between initial pruning and the first grazing cycle, shrubs-grass, and total fodder production and quality at 40 d, 50 d, and 60 d after two grazing cycles comparing an intensive silvopastoral system (ISS) and a monoculture of grass (MONO), and survival of shrubs for 2 years were measured. Fodder production per plant at initial pruning was 1.96 and 1.31 kg of green fodder, for elder, and wild sunflower, respectively. Elder (79.46 cm) grew 9.73 cm more than wild sunflower (69.72 cm). Total fodder production (Ton/ha/year) was higher in the ISS (28.42 in the ISS vs. 25.92 in MONO). Shrub survival was 74.03% for wild sunflower and 22.48% for elder. Significant differences in the bromatological composition of the shrubs were observed. In conclusion, elder showed higher growth and fodder production per plant, but lower survival. Wild sunflower was more tolerant to grazing and more resilient in the ISS. 50–60 d was considered an appropriated recovery time for ISS including wild sunflower, but not for elder which needs more time. ISS was considered an efficient alternative for livestock production.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank the University of Antioquia and SENA CRNR La Salada, for the financial support provided for the execution of this work.

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  1. Research Group in Agrarian Sciences-GRICA, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Antioquia, Robledo Campus, Carrera 75 No 65-87 Bloque 46, Medellín Antioquia, AA, 1226, Colombia

    Liliana Mahecha & Joaquín Angulo

  2. La Salada Research Group, SENA - CRNR La Salada, Caldas Antioquia, Colombia

    Juan David Londoño

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  1. Liliana Mahecha
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  2. Juan David Londoño
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  3. Joaquín Angulo
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Correspondence to Liliana Mahecha.

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Significance statement: Intensive silvopastoral system is an efficient alternative for livestock production which allows 10% more productivity compared to a monoculture grass system. Managing the recovery time of the shrubs is essential for its persistence over time.

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Mahecha, L., Londoño, J.D. & Angulo, J. Agronomic and Nutritional Assessment of an Intensive Silvopastoral System: Tithonia Diversifolia, Sambucus nigra, Cynodon nlemfuensis, and Urochloa plantaginea. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., India, Sect. B Biol. Sci. 92, 37–47 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40011-021-01282-7

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