Nutritive Status of Maytenus heterophylla and Acacia nilotica Leaves Cultivated in Winter from Two Varied Landscapes

Abstract

Winter season happens to be the period prone to drought and in most cases bedeviled with incidences of low-quality veld and a corresponding high rate of livestock mortality. The present research aimed to assess the nutritive worth of Acacia nilotica as well as Maytenus heterophylla leaves in the winter season from two varied landscapes (high landscape and low landscape). A randomized study design was employed with landscape and plant species as the key factors of a 100´100 m plot inside sites presenting blocks. Both nutritive and mineral components of the leaves were evaluated. In addition, condensed tannins, as well as phenolic compounds analysis were also carried out on the dry samples of the leaves. A significant (p<0.01) relationship existed between site and plant types with regard to DM, N and CP content. Acacia nilotica leave samples had greater values of N, DM as well as crude protein in high topography in comparison to Maytenus heterophylla leaves. No significant relationship (p>0.05) existed with NDF content for A. nilotica from the two sampled locations. M. heterophylla showed high content for NDF in the sites for low topography as compared to high topography. Acacia nilotica as well as Maytenus heterophylla species showed variations in the minor and major element content in relation to topography. Low landscape areas had higher values in most elements for both plant species as compared to those obtained from high topographic sites. Likewise, the low landscape area had higher mineral content than the high landscape area. Browse species and topography showed no significance with regards to Soluble Phenolics (SPh) as well as soluble condensed tannins of browse species. Significant interaction (p<0.05) existed between topographical location as well as browse species. Browse species from high topography showed higher soluble phenolics and soluble condensed tannins components in comparison to low topography. Our results revealed that leaves from low landscapes have better nutrient composition compared to leaves from high landscapes.