Major Sources of Plant Fodder Species of South East Nigeria , Associated Livestock , Percentage Preferences , a Few Physiognomic Attributes and Potential New Sources

ore than two-thirds of the estimated World population of goats (391 million) are found in the tropics and sub-tropics (FAO, 1973). The most important Centres for good-keeping are in Africa where in certain countries (Niger, Mauritania and Somalia) more than one goat is kept per person (FAO, 1973). There are 224 million goats in Nigeria and this is exceeded only by India with a goat population of 69.2 million (FAO, 1973). Moreover, the FAO (1966) found that goats provided over 25% of total lean meat consumed in Nigeria between 1963 and 1964. Many forest tree species provide fodder for livestock production, especially during the dry season when livestock feed becomes scarce and is of poor nutritional quality. Thus, availability of tree fodder enhances the productivity of livestock as well as of wild game. Since these animals contribute to human food supply, forest tree species contribute indirectly through them to human nutrition. Apart from the destruction of farms by livestock, herdsmen lop branches of trees conserved on farmland to provide fodder for their livestock. As fodder resources dwindle, wild game migrate to other areas where they can have access to sources of food supply. Consequently deforestation results in shortage of fodder supply and is detrimental to sustainable livestock and wildlife management (Otegbeye and Onyeanusi, 2006). The grazing pressure has been increasing with the increase in human and livestock populations. Consequently, uncontrolled heavy grazing is causing great damage to soil and vegetation due to compaction and trampling. This create gaps in the forest and retrogression in certain localities. Local people use trees, shrubs, and herbs as fodder for their livestock. Primarily, the members of the family Poaceae are used as fodder in both fresh and dry forms throughout the year (Abbasi et al., 2012).


INTRODUCTION
ore than two-thirds of the estimated World population of goats (391 million) are found in the tropics and sub-tropics (FAO, 1973).The most important Centres for good-keeping are in Africa where in certain countries (Niger, Mauritania and Somalia) more than one goat is kept per person (FAO, 1973).There are 224 million goats in Nigeria and this is exceeded only by India with a goat population of 69.2 million (FAO, 1973).Moreover, the FAO (1966) found that goats provided over 25% of total lean meat consumed in Nigeria between 1963 and 1964.Many forest tree species provide fodder for livestock production, especially during the dry season when livestock feed becomes scarce and is of poor nutritional quality.Thus, availability of tree fodder enhances the productivity of livestock as well as of wild game.Since these animals contribute to human food supply, forest tree species contribute indirectly through them to human nutrition.Apart from the destruction of farms by livestock, herdsmen lop branches of trees conserved on farmland to provide fodder for their livestock.As fodder resources dwindle, wild game migrate to other areas where they can have access to sources of food supply.Consequently deforestation results in shortage of fodder supply and is detrimental to sustainable livestock and wildlife management (Otegbeye and Onyeanusi, 2006).The grazing pressure has been increasing with the increase in human and livestock populations.Consequently, uncontrolled heavy grazing is causing great damage to soil and vegetation due to compaction and trampling.This create gaps in the forest and retrogression in certain localities.Local people use trees, shrubs, and herbs as fodder for their livestock.Primarily, the members of the family Poaceae are used as fodder in both fresh and dry forms throughout the year (Abbasi et al., 2012).
In modern times with the harsh economic realities globally, global inflation, glut in crude oil prices; for countries like M ABSTRACT Sixty (60) species of plant fodder belonging to 34 families were utilized in this study.Goat, sheep and rabbits were the experimental livestock.For a period of one year, each species was offered to the animals first thing in the morning.Attitude (reaction) of each animal to each plant species were observed and recorded.Observations revealed that most species were acceptable on a daily bases.Most species were completely consumed ravenously: (Persea, Gmelina, Zea, Ficus, Ricinodendron, Vernonia, Colocasia, Elacis).Others were consumed more reluctantly but consumed nevertheless (Cola, Cocos, Treculia, Mangitena, Psidicem, Banbusa);Insome cases, the fruits were preferred to the leaves (Citrus, Carica, Treculia, Dacryodes, Dioscorea, Mangifera, Arachis, Abelmoscus, Musa).In others, leaves were preferred to fruits (Dialum, Milicia, Pterocarpus, Elaeis, Capsicum, Telfairia).The goats fed more voraciously than others.The rabbits preferred tender and softer food (Daucus, Tridox, Setaria, Bambusa, Ipomoea, Andropogon, Vernonia, Zea (et cetera).Most species were evergreen perennials, therefore food was avaible all year round.Potential new sources of fodder were also suggested (Ceiba, Spondias, Vitex, Justicia, Duranta, Mariscus).Waste products of harvest and discarded peels and rinds of foodstuff were also taken into consideration.
Nigeria, Agriculture is regaining prominence and sources of livestock food that will neither compete with nor drain man's already overstretched food sources is a very welcome idea.Even plant sources hitherto labelled unwanted, together with Agricultural /food wastes (plant leaves, stalks, glumes, fruit pericarp, rinds, tuber peelings, herbaceous stems, food fibre, end products of plant food processing) have become very important and in much demand these days.This justifies continuous research in this area.As established plant food sources are documented, potential sources of likely new sources of plant fodder will be exploited, to accumulate a broad based inexhaustible, renewable livestock food base that will ensure long term sustainability in this respect.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
This Research work was carried out in Nnokwa, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State.Firstly a long shed was built for the animals (a fundamental requirement for shelter, if they most thrive).Several goats (billy, nanny and maturing kids); several sheep (local ram, sheep and young); and many rabbits (all white, all black and mixed colouration).They were positioned separately, with the rabbits in their cages (males and females).Each morning, they were given a different fodder species and their feeding observed.These observations were recorded.The ones they savoured were retained while the ones they disliked were removed immediately.Water was served twice daily.The shed and cages were swept out, first thing in the morning and last thing in the night.Ash and used motor oil were sprinkled round the shed to prevent ant infestation.It took a period of one year to observe their preference for particular fodder species.The fodder were tied to stakes for easy accessibility/consumption by the goats and sheep.Baskets were also used.That of the rabbits were placed inside the cages.Bits of human food and leftover food were also given at intervals.Pregnant ones were sheltered separately and mature offsprings were sold in the market.Other materials used included: Machetes, stakes, generator, torch light, rafters and calabashes, disinfectants, brooms, bowls, pans et cetera (Akobundu and Agyakwa, 1998;Nyananyo, 2006).

RESULT AND DISCUSSION
Results obtained from the study was presented in Table 1, 2 and 3.

Table 1 :
Major sources of plant fodder species of South East Nigeria and Associated Livestock.

Table 1 :
(Continued)give the leaves of Manihot and Cola species when fresh to the pregnant females.Rabbits being very fragile animals prefer the tenderest plant parts and it is important to note that what these animals eat is not restricted only to the ones highlighted, again animals from different localities may show varying degrees of preferences for each plant mentioned above.

Table 2 :
Family, Habit, Growth Form, Life Span and Percentage Preference of Fodder to Livestock.From table 3 above, there are 4 tree, 2 shrubs and 2 forb species mentioned.Goats and sheep in one locality in the south east may savour what is taboo to Goats and sheeps in another locality in the same Southeast.CONCLUSIONGoats, sheep and Rabbits in the South East feed on a wide variety of fodder species particularly Musa, Zea, Ficus, Grass (Pennisetum, Panicumand Andropogonspp), Persea, Elaeis, Manihot, Colocasia and forbs (Alternanthera, Desmodium, Tridax, Aspilia) et cetera.They are easy to manage, a great source of protein, and an alternative source of income particularly now that crude oil need to be augmented by Agriculture for the Nigerian Economy to become more stable.There are other overlooked sources of fodder spp that need to be revisited: Vitex, Ceiba, Newbouldia, Pterocarpus, Spondias, Terminalia, Moringa, and many other grass and forb species.It is very pertinent to note that most of these fodder species are easily available forest species but presently the forest ecosystem of South East Nigeria is 'threatened' to 'extinction' by powerful negative influence, like serious cattle grazing, incessant forest fire, Erosion and unsustainable Agricultural activities on marginal lands.Saving our forest is synonymous to our survival.