Background
Methods
Study area
Ethnobotanical survey and data collection
Type of Informants | Young aged | Middle aged | Seniors | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|
25–35 years | 36–50 years | 51–65 years | ||
Local shepherds (Female) | 2 | 5 | 0 | 7 |
Local shepherds (Male) | 13 | 23 | 7 | 43 |
Farmed Ruminant care takers (Female) | 2 | 4 | 3 | 9 |
Farmed Ruminant care takers ((Male) | 9 | 11 | 3 | 23 |
Domestic Ruminant care takers (Female) | 11 | 15 | 8 | 34 |
Domestic Ruminant care takers (Male) | 6 | 12 | 3 | 21 |
Total informants | 43 | 70 | 24 | 137 |
Fodder grass sampling and authentication
Estimation of relative abundance
Abundance scale | Abundance categories | Coverage of grass species |
---|---|---|
+ | Rare (R) | <5% |
1 | Occasional (O) | 5–20% |
2 | Frequent (F) | 20–50% |
3 | Common (C) | 50–90% |
4 | Abundant (A) | 90–100% |
Data analysis
Fodder grasses | Species A | Species B | Species C | Species D | Species E | Total votes | Rank |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Species A | ………… | ||||||
Species B | …………… | ||||||
Species C | …………. | ||||||
Species D | …………. | ||||||
Species E | ………… |
Results and discussions
Demography of study area
Taxonomic diversity of fodder grasses
Subfamily | Voucher no. | Binomial name | Local name | Palatable to | Fodder part | Feeding method | Ethno veterinary uses | Other uses | RA | FC(n) | RFC |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pooideae | LCWU-0360 |
Agrostis gigantea Roth. | Lamba gaah | Ca, Sh | Leaves | FG, MF | used against allergic reactions | NR | C | 85 | 0.62 |
LCWU-0385 |
Avena sativa L. | Jai | Ca, Bu, Sh, Go | Aerial | FG, MF | Detoxifier | Part of human food | F | 51 | 0.372 | |
LCWU-0364 |
Bromus japonicus Thunb. | Joukai | Go, Sh | Aerial | FG, MF | Treat constipation | Crop cover during harsh winters | C | 82 | 0.599 | |
LCWU-0386 |
Dactylis glomerata L. | Gadu | Go, Sh | Leaves | FG | Diuretic | NR | O | 33 | 0.241 | |
LCWU-0387 |
Lolium temulentum Linn. | Cockle | Sh, Go | Leaves | FG | Nervous disorders | NR | O | 33 | 0.241 | |
LCWU-0377 |
Phalaris minor Retz. | Dumbi sitti | Sh, Go | Aerial | FG | Extract helpful to cure animal cough | keep mouse at bay from wheat storage areas | A | 76 | 0.555 | |
LCWU-0389 |
Poa annua L. | Poa | Ca | Whole | FG | Remove debris from wounded area | NR | F | 51 | 0.372 | |
LCWU-0388 |
Poa infirma Kunth. | Wakh | Ca, Go | Whole | FG | NR | NR | F | 49 | 0.358 | |
LCWU-0391 |
Polypogon monspeliensis (L.) Desf. | Malhar | Sh, Go | Aerial | FG | Infusions used to normalize the increased heart palpitations | NR | F | 47 | 0.343 | |
Arundinoideae | LCWU-0361 |
Arundo donax L | Nara bans, Nal | Ca, Bu | Leaves | FG, MF | Diuretic, Antiseptic | Dried plant parts used as fuel and shelters. Stems also used to make flutes | A | 74 | 0.54 |
LCWU-0390 |
Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud. | Dila | Ca, Sh | Leaves | MF | Digestive disorders | Used in construction of adobe houses. The mature and dried stems also used in making of musical instruments. | O | 31 | 0.226 | |
Aristidoideae | LCWU-0391 |
Aristida adscensionis Linn. | Lumb Gaah | Ca, Sh | Aerial | FG | Controls itching | Revegetation, stabilizes sand dunes | F | 43 | 0.314 |
Chloridoideae | LCWU-039 |
Acrachne racemosa (Heyne ex Roth) Ohwi | Chinki | Ca | Whole | FG | NR | Grain used by people in food scarcity | O | 29 | 0.212 |
LCWU-0369 |
Cynodon dactylon (Linn.) Pers. | Khabbal, Tala, Chaber | Ca, Bu, Sh, Go | Whole | FG, MF | Paste of leaves controls dysentery and anti-inflammatory to wounded areas of animal’s body | NR | A | 95 | 0.693 | |
LCWU-0370 |
Dactyloctenium aegyptium (L.) Wild. | Koora, Madanah | Ca, Sh | Whole | FG | Used to reduce after birth abdominal pains | NR | A | 78 | 0.569 | |
LCWU-0371 |
Desmostachya bipinnata (L.) Stapf | Kusa, Dab | Ca, Bu | Aerial | FG, MF | Digestive disorders, Dysentery | Used as roof covers and in making of brooms | A | 76 | 0.555 | |
LCWU-0373 |
Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn. | Chezi | Ca | Aerial | FG, MF | Cure digestive disorders | Used in making ropes and mats | A | 91 | 0.664 | |
LCWU-0392 |
Enneapogon persicus Boiss. | Jiu | Ca | Whole | FG | NR | NR | F | 46 | 0.336 | |
LCWU-0395 |
Eragrostis japonica (Thunb.) Trin. | Panghas | Ca, Bu, Sh, Go | Whole | FG, MF | NR | NR | F | 48 | 0.35 | |
LCWU-0374 |
Eragrostis minor Host. | Choti ghas | Ca, Bu, Sh, Go | Whole | FG, MF | Digestive disorders | seeds used as food in food scarcity times | A | 90 | 0.657 | |
LCWU-0393 |
Eragrostis pilosa (L.) P. Beauv. | Nika sanwak | Ca, Bu, Sh, Go, | Whole | FG | Help to cure contusion | NR | O | 52 | 0.38 | |
LCWU-0398 |
Leptochloa panicea (Retz.) Ohwi | Paja | Ca | Whole | FG | NR | Basketry material | R | 33 | 0.241 | |
LCWU-0399 |
Tetrapogon villosus Desf. | Sager | Ca | Aerial | FG | NR | NR | R | 39 | 0.285 | |
Panicoideae | LCWU-0400 |
Apluda mutica L. | Tachuli | Ca | Aerial | FG | Disinfectant, Digestive disorders | used for thatching with combination of other grass materials | R | 30 | 0.219 |
LCWU-0362 |
Bothriochloa bladhii (Retz.) S.T. Blake | Palvan | Ca, Bu, Sh, Go | Aerial | FG, MF | Improves digestion | helps in re vegetation | A | 91 | 0.664 | |
LCWU-0363 |
Brachiaria ramosa (Linn.) Stapf | Sawari, Jhanda | Ca | Whole | FG | Leaves work as antiseptic | NR | F | 51 | 0.372 | |
LCWU-0396 |
Brachiaria reptans (Linn.) Gardner & Hubbard | Hausa | Ca | Whole | FG | Leaves juice helps to cure anaemia, also used as laxatives | Sometime seeds used as food | C | 84 | 0.613 | |
LCWU-0397 |
Cenchrus biflorus Roxb. | Bhurat | Ca, Bu | Aerial | FG | Diuretic | NR | F | 52 | 0.38 | |
LCWU-0365 |
Cenchrus ciliaris L. | Dhaman | Ca, Bu | Aerial | FG, MF | Diuretic | NR | A | 88 | 0.642 | |
LCWU-0366 |
Cenchrus pennisetiformis Steud. | Bara Dhaman | Ca, Bu | Whole | FG | NR | Herbicidal | C | 80 | 0.584 | |
LCWU-0401 |
Cenchrus setiger Vahl. | Kala dhaman | Ca | Aerial | FG | Antiseptic | NR | R | 35 | 0.255 | |
LCWU-0367 |
Chrysopogon aucheri (Boiss.) Stapf | Khar, Chorkanda | Ca, Bu, Sh, Go | Aerial | FG, MF | Digestive disorders | NR | A | 78 | 0.569 | |
LCWU-0368 |
Chrysopogon zizanioides (L.) Roberty | Vetiver, Khuss | Ca | Leaves | FG, MF | Antiseptic, anti-inflammatory | Used in rehabilitation of land, also for making barriers around territories | A | 78 | 0.569 | |
LCWU-0402 |
Cymbopogon jwarancusa (Jones.) Schult | Khavi, Kathori | Ca, Bu, Sh, Go | Whole | FG | Diuretic and improve fertility in bull | Extract used as mosquito repellent | O | 28 | 0.204 | |
LCWU-0372 |
Dichanthium annulatum (Forssk.) Stapf | Palwan, Murgha | Ca, Bu, Sh, Go | Whole | FG, MF | Digestive disorders | Considered herbicidal | A | 91 | 0.664 | |
LCWU-0403 |
Digitaria ciliaris (Retz.) Koeler | Shamokha | Sh, Go | Whole | FG | NR | NR | O | 50 | 0.365 | |
LCWU-0407 |
Digitaria longiflora (Retz.) Pers. | Deeta | Sh, Go | Whole | FG | NR | NR | O | 45 | 0.328 | |
LCWU-0408 |
Echinochloa colona (L.) Link | Jungli chowol | Ca, Bu, Sh, Go | Whole | FG | Digestive disorders | Stems are used for weaving mats and sometime used as food. | F | 52 | 0.38 | |
LCWU-0404 |
Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv. | Sanwak | Ca | Whole | FG | Digestive disorders | Seldom used for reclamation of alkaline soils | O | 48 | 0.35 | |
LCWU-0375 |
Heteropogon contortus (L.) P Beauv. Ex. Roem & Schult. | Pili, Butto jara | Ca | Aerial | FG, MF | Digestive disorders | handicrafts and thatching | C | 73 | 0.533 | |
LCWU-0376 |
Imperata cylindrica (L.) Raeuschel | Siru | Ca, Bu, Sh, Go | Whole | FG | Fumigant for Piles | biological pesticide | A | 83 | 0.606 | |
LCWU-0405 |
Ottochloa compressa (Forssk.) Hilu | Chimbar, Phalwan | Ca | Aerial | FG | NR | NR | R | 35 | 0.255 | |
LCWU-0406 |
Panicum antidotale Retz. | Gharam | Ca | Whole | FG | Disinfectant | NR | O | 61 | 0.445 | |
LCWU-0409 |
Paspalidium distichum L. | Knot grass | Ca | Whole | FG | NR | NR | O | 53 | 0.387 | |
LCWU-0501 |
Pennisetum orientale Rich. | Haathi ghaa | Ca | Whole | FG | Oral infections | NR | O | 60 | 0.438 | |
LCWU-0378 |
Saccharum bengalense Retz. | Kana, Sarkand A | Ca, Bu, Sh, Go | Leaves | FG, MF | Leaves used to treat oral problems of ruminants | Dried plants used as fuel, thatching and making of writing pens | C | 78 | 0.569 | |
LCWU-0379 |
Saccharum spontaneum L | Kaa | Ca | Leaves | MF, FG | Root help to relieve in inflammation and urinary problems | Used as paper pulp as well as in making of ropes, baskets and brooms. | C | 76 | 0.555 | |
LCWU-0381 |
Setaria pumila (Poir) Roem. & Schult. | Ban kangni | Ca | Aerial | FG, MF | Oral infections | Used to tie knot bundles of grain together | A | 85 | 0.62 | |
LCWU-0500 |
Setaria verticillata (L.) P. Beauv. | Barchittas | Sh, Go | Leaves | FG | Flatulence problem | Used in making of baskets | O | 27 | 0.197 | |
LCWU-0380 |
Setaria viridis (L.) P. Beauv. | Kangni | Ca, Bu, Sh, Go | Whole | FG, MF | Seeds used to treat bruises and also effective as diuretic. | NR | A | 91 | 0.664 | |
LCWU-0382 |
Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench | Jowar | Ca, Bu, Sh, Go | Aerial | FG, MF | Help to cure wounds, anaemia and constipation | Part of human food and also used to make sweet syrups | C | 78 | 0.569 | |
LCWU-0383 |
Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. | Baru | Ca, Bu, Sh, Go | Aerial | FG, MF | Decotion of root used to reduce the swelling of mammary glands | As fuel | A | 86 | 0.628 | |
LCWU-0384 |
Zea mays L. | Makai | Ca, Bu, Sh, Go | Leaves | FG, MF | Treat sores and skin problems | Kernel and oil used as food for humans | A | 87 | 0.635 |
Prioritizing fodder grasses on the basis of RFC and PC
Fodder grasses | Total gained % points | Rank |
---|---|---|
GROUP A (RFC =0.664) | ||
Bothiochloa Bladhi
| 87.5 | 1st |
Dicanthium annulatum
| 85.5 | 2nd |
Setaria Viridis
| 84.5 | 3rd |
Eleusine indica
| 84 | 4th |
GROUP B (RFC =0.554) | ||
Setaria pumila
| 87 | 1st |
Agrostis gigantea
| 79 | 2nd |
GROUP B (RFC = 0.518) | ||
Dactyloctenium aegyptium
| 89.2 | 1st |
Chrysopogon aucheri
| 88 | 2nd |
Chrysopogon zizanioides
| 86 | 3rd |
Saccharum bengalense
| 80 | 4th |
Sorghum bicolor
| 79.6 | 5th |
GROUP C (RFC = 0.474) | ||
Phalaris minor
| 92.6 | 1st |
Saccharum spontaneum
| 90.6 | 2nd |
Desmostachya bipinnata
| 87.3 | 3rd |
GROUP D (RFC = 0.379) | ||
Echinochloa colona
| 59 | 1st |
Cenchrus biflorus
| 55 | 2nd |
Eragrostis pilosa
| 54 | 3rd |
GROUP D (RFC = 0.372) | ||
Brachiaria ramosa
| 36 | 1st |
Avena sativa
| 35.3 | 2nd |
Poa annua
| 34.6 | 3rd |
GROUP D (RFC = 0.35) | ||
Echinochloa crus-galli
| 31.3 | 1st |
Eragrostis japonica
| 30 | 2nd |
GROUP E (RFCs = 0.255) | ||
Cenchrus setiger
| 27 | 1st |
Ottochloa compressa
| 29 | 2nd |
GROUP E (RFC = 0.24) | ||
Dactylis glomerata
| 30 | 1st |
Lolium temulentum
| 29.3 | 2nd |
Leptochloa panicea
| 27.3 | 3rd |
Palatability, part used and feeding methods of listed fodder grasses
Studied parameters | Frequency | Valid percent | Cumulative percent |
---|---|---|---|
Cattle | 19 | 35.8 | 35.8 |
Cattle, Buffalo | 5 | 9.4 | 45.3 |
Cattle, Buffalo, Sheep, Goat | 16 | 30.2 | 75.5 |
Cattle, Goat | 1 | 1.9 | 77.4 |
Cattle, Sheep | 4 | 7.5 | 84.9 |
Goat, Sheep | 2 | 3.8 | 88.7 |
Sheep, Goat | 6 | 11.3 | 100.0 |
Total | 53 | 100.0 | |
Fodder part | |||
Aerial | 19 | 35.8 | 35.8 |
Leaves | 10 | 18.9 | 54.7 |
Whole | 24 | 45.3 | 100.0 |
Total | 53 | 100.0 | |
Feeding methods | |||
Free grazing | 30 | 56.6 | 56.6 |
Free grazing, mixed with feed | 21 | 39.6 | 96.2 |
mixed with feed | 2 | 3.8 | 100.0 |
Total | 53 | 100.0 | |
Relative abundance | |||
Abundant | 17 | 32.1 | 32.1 |
Common | 8 | 15.1 | 47.2 |
Frequent | 10 | 18.9 | 66.0 |
Occasional | 13 | 24.5 | 90.6 |
Rare | 5 | 9.4 | 100.0 |
Total | 53 | 100.0 |