A survey of the diversity of plants utilized for small ruminant feeding in south-eastern Nigeria

Information is required on the diversity of indigenous plant species for ruminant production in Nigeria. A preliminary field survey was carried out to determine the diversity of plants utilized for small ruminant feeding at three rural farming communities spread over three states of south-eastern Nigeria. Indigenous farmers in the area for their ruminant feeding were utilizing 163 fodder plants. Out of this number, 161 were utilized at Orsumoghu in Anambra State, 143 at Umuokanne in Imo State and 111 at Umugo in Abia State. One hundred and eleven plant species were common to the three sites, 25 were common to Orsumoghu and Umuokanne alone, while two each were common to Orsumoghu/Umugo and Umugo/Umuokanne. Twenty-three plants were exclusively identified at Orsumoghu. Thirteen plants were commonly identified as preferred browses at the three sites, while 10 plants each were named exclusively at Abia/Imo and Anambra sites. Dactyledama batterii, Alchornea cordifolia, Aspilia africana, Manniophyton fulvum and Costus afer among others were highly preferred at the three sites. It is probable that the diversity of plants utilized at the different sites may reflect the differences in livestock rearing systems practiced at these sites. Although the present study produced a more comprehensive list of plants utilized for ruminant feeding in the area than previous studies, further in-depth studies are needed in order to understand whether the differences observed between the sites reflect the availability of plants in the areas.