Data/hora: 19/06/2024 23:08:08

Biblioteca(s): | Embrapa Caprinos e Ovinos.
Data corrente: | 21/01/2016
Data da última atualização: | 21/01/2016
Autoria: | FIERRO, L. C.; GÓMEZ, F.; GONZÁLEZ, M. H.
Título: | Biological control of undersiderable brush species using goats in central Chihuahua, Mexico.
Ano de publicação: | 1982
Fonte/Imprenta: | In: INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON GOAT PRODUCTION AND DISEASE, 3., 1982, Tucson. Proceedings... Scottsdale: Dairy Goat Journal, 1982. p. 534
Idioma: | Inglês
Conteúdo: | Brush invasion is a serious problem in vast areas of rangelands in northern Mexico. Spiny kidneywood (Eysendhartia spinosa) and catclaw mimosa (Mimosa biuncifera) are two of the most important brush species invading productive grasslands. Herbicides have been used to control them at high costs and variable results. Considering the increasing demand of meat the use of goats as a type of biological control could be an adequate way to transform undesirable species into food and benefits for our growing populations. A five-year study was conducted in central Chihuahua, Mexico. The study site was a former open grassland of black grama (Bouteloua eriopede) invaded by catclaw, spiny kidneywood and other undesirable species. Estimated annual forage production was 94 kg D.M./ha. Ten experimental pastures were established to study the effects of goat grazing and its combination with mechanical shreding. Stocking rates were 150 to 300 goat-days per hectare in both shredded and unshredded areas. The utilization levels obtained were 60 percent and 82 percent on the moderate and heavy stocking rates. Impact of goat use on the brush stands was noticeable after the first year, affecting plant phenology and growth. After the fourth year, spiny sidneywood mortality was 36 percent, with catclaw mimosa being more resistant with only low mortality rates (8 percent). Nevertheless, more than 60 percent of the sampled plants were affected, reducing aerial cover of brush by almost 20 percent. As a response to the detrimental effects on growth and vigor of the brush species, basal cover values of grasses increased significantly more than 100 percent. Grass forage production was also increased up to 800 kg D.M./ha with a moderate stocking rate combined with shredding. However, the greatest impact on brush vegetation occurred with high stocking rate on unshredded pastures. Goat condition was satisfactory, with outstanding performance in the unshredded pastures due to a higher availability of quality foilage. Results indicate that goats can utilize and control covered areas of spiny kidneywood and catclaw mimosa. A high degree of control could be obtained with a combination of shredding and goat grazing
Palavras-Chave: | Bouteloua eriopede; Eysendhartia spinosa; Mimosa biuncifera; Selecção; Selection.
Thesagro: | Caprino; Controle biológico; Erva daninha; Pastagem; Pastejo; Produção animal; Taxa de lotação.
Thesaurus Nal: | Animal production; Biological control; Forage; Goats; Mexico.
Categoria do assunto: | --
Registro original: | Embrapa Caprinos e Ovinos (CNPC)
Exemplares: | CNPC - (29843-1) - ADD - PL - PP - 636.39 - I61p - 2006.02863 - DIS