Innovating Forage Production System in Kuwait Using Locally Adapted Native Desert Plant Species

Abstract

Tareq A. Madouh and Tareq A. Al-Sabbagh

The native vegetation of Kuwait is well adapted to hyper arid environment and once these naturally vegetated plants are managed properly these may be considered potential candidates as animal feed. Bringing the neglected and underutilized native plant species into animal food chain is promising. Considering the importance of some native plants, five native forage species (Cenchrus ciliaris, Cenchrus setigerus, Lasiurus scindicus, Panicum turgidum and Pennisetum divisum) were compared to widely used exotic forage species Panicum virgatum to measure the effects of fall (October) vs spring (March) planting on the biomass yield and the nutritive value. The results indicate that four species, C. setigerus, C. ciliaris, L. scindicus and P. divisum, showed a higher dry matter production in the spring planting season with relative increase in the nutritive values, i.e., NDF, ADF, fat, protein and ash concentrations as compared to P. virgatum. In general fall season planting, decreased the dry matter production and the nutritive values compared to the spring season. These findings provided opportunities to utilize the natural resources for increasing and or improving livestock feed supply. There is potential for growers to integrate these local forage species into their forage production system.

PDF