Effects of Season and Agro Ecology on the Nutritional Quality of Browse Species for the Dromedary Camels (Camelus Dromedarius) in Borana Plateau, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

The nutritional value of browsing species is being affected, camel movement is being disrupted, and camel feed resources appear to be being substantially degraded by climate change and its variations. This study explores the effects of season and location on the composition of nutrients and in vitro dry matter digestibility of the main browse species utilized as camel feed. Using an ANOVA model. Lannea rivae had an average DM content of 87.23% while Acacia brevispica had a range of 95.58%. There are no statistically significant variations (p>0.05) in the ash content of browsing species, which ranges from 2.56% in Acacia mellifera to 18.66% in Grewia evolute. The CP content of Lannea rivae in Maerua triphylla ranged from 6.19% to 27.24%. During the wet season, there is a statistically significant difference (p<0.05). On the other hand, Grewia evolute's CP contents varied from 24.56% to 10.44%, showing a significant difference (p<0.05). The results showed that Acacia etabaica had an NDF content that ranged from 25.63% to 72.10% Lannea rivae. Lannea rivae had the greatest ADF content (30.53%), and Grewia tembensis had the lowest (8.20%), with the difference being statistically significant (p<0.05). Grewia villosa in Lannea rivae had an ADL content that ranged from 2.82% to 15.86%. There is a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) during the dry season. During the wet season, the NDF concentration of Maerua triphylla in Boscia mossambicensis varied from 38.33% to 62.43%. The lowest ADF content was found in Acacia etabaica (22.47%), while the highest was found in Boscia mossambicensis (42.56%). The distinction is statistically significant (p<0.001). Grewia evolute contained 2.82% to 15.86% Acacia tortilis ADL. During the dry season, Dichrostachys cinerea had the lowest cellulose concentration (3.68%), whereas Euphorbia nubica had the greatest (18.77%). The study's conclusions indicate that the location is irrelevant. NDF, ADF, and ADL fiber fractions and chemical composition (DM, Ash, and CP) did not differ substantially (P<0. 05). The effects of location and season on the chemical and fiber compositions and nutritional value of browse species for dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) are clarified by this study. To identify other variables that affect the nutritional composition of browsing species, more investigation is required.