Idetificación de especies arbóreas forrajeras utilizadas en tres fincas pecuarias de la provincia de Granma, Cuba

Abstract

Objective: To identify the use of forage tree species in three animal husbandry farms in the Macanacú valley of the Guisa municipality, Granma province. Materials and Methods: In three animal husbandry farms (Macanacú, El Sao and La Gloria) three transects of 1 500 m2 were made, subdivided into plots of 20 x 25 m. All the species were collected and taxonomically identified and were organized in alphabetical order and by family. The inventory of the existing forage tree species was carried out. The species present were characterized, according to their use and services offered in the studied zone. Results: A total of 23 species that were used in the animal husbandry systems were recorded. The high representativeness of the family Fabaceae stands out, with 18 % of the total, for having legume and forage species, all of them of interest for animal husbandry. The forage tree species like Samanea saman (Jacq.) Merr, Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit, Guazuma ulmifolia Lam and Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Kunth ex Walp, are the most widely used as feeding source for the livestock of the region. Conclusions: Twenty three tree species, with potential for silvopastoral use, were identified. The high representativeness of the family Fabaceae was proven, with 18 % of the total species. Nine tree species that are consumed by cattle were recorded, among which S. saman, A. lebbeck, L. leucocephala, G. ulmifolia, and G. sepium stand out.

Keywords

• animal husbandry; forage; silvopastoral system