Livestock, nutritive value and local knowledge of fodder trees in fragment landscapes in Chiapas, Mexico

Abstract

SUMMARY The purpose of the present study was to characterize the livestock system and to identify nutritional potential and local knowledge of fodder trees and shrubs in two localities of Chiapas, Mexico. The study included participatory rural evaluation techniques, semi-structured interviews, laboratory analysis and a palatability essay with “Pelibuey” sheep. The latter was carried out through a random design. The livestock system was classified as agrosilvopastoral, characterized by its access to a variety of different ecological areas (crop, fallow lands and pine-oak forest). Thirteen multi-purpose woody fodder species were identified and ranked by farmers: Acacia angustissima, A. pennatula, Casimiroa edulis, Diphysa robinoides, Ficus cookii, Leucaena brachycarpa, Litsea glaucescens, Lysiloma auritum, Pistacia mexicana, Quercus crispipilis, Q. segoviensis, Rhus schiedeana and Tecoma stans. Ten uses and 43 products or services were identified for fuelwood (11), living fences (9), shade (9), medicinal purposes (7), tools (3), food (2), and condiment, charcoal, tanning and ornamental use (1 of each). The best ranked species by producers according to fodder availability during the dry season, palatability, livestock fattening and propagation were A. angustissima, C. edulis, L. brachycarpa, L. auritum y P. mexicana. Chemical analysis, in vitro digestibility and secondary compounds of 13 species showed significant variation among species. Crude protein content was 8.1-22.7% and total phenols 5.4-8.4%. Alkaloids showed low-medium values. The palatability test (p<0.05) showed that the most consumed species (g/ms/animal -1 ) were A. angustissima (69.48), L. auritum (54.85) and A. pennatula (35.69).