Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-42gr6 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-18T14:38:44.430Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Nutritive value of bamboo as browse for livestock

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 December 2010

J.J. Halvorson ,
K.A. Cassida ,
K.E. Turner  and
D.P. Belesky
J.J. Halvorson*
Affiliation:
Appalachian Farming Systems Research Center, ARS, USDA, Beaver, WV, USA.
K.A. Cassida
Affiliation:
Appalachian Farming Systems Research Center, ARS, USDA, Beaver, WV, USA.
K.E. Turner
Affiliation:
Appalachian Farming Systems Research Center, ARS, USDA, Beaver, WV, USA.
D.P. Belesky
Affiliation:
Appalachian Farming Systems Research Center, ARS, USDA, Beaver, WV, USA.
*
*Corresponding author: Jonathan.Halvorson@ars.usda.gov
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Small farms in Appalachia need management options that diversify income opportunities, are adaptable to new livestock management strategies, and help maintain environmental integrity. Plantings of temperate bamboo (Poaceae), including species native to West Virginia, were established to determine the potential nutritive value for small ruminants, such as goats (Capra hircus), at different times of the year. The bamboo species we evaluated, included several Phyllostachys spp., Semiarundiaria fastuosa and Arundinaria gigantea, were able to withstand Appalachian winter temperatures and retain some green leaves even in late winter. Although small differences were evident, the nutritive value was generally comparable among species and exhibited similar trends over the season. Total non-structural carbohydrates in bamboo leaves decreased throughout the growing season, and then remained stable or increased during winter. Conversely, crude protein was relatively low in young leaves compared to late season or over-wintered leaves. Concentrations of fiber and protein were sufficient to meet the maintenance needs of adult goats. The ability of bamboo to remain green and maintain the nutritive value throughout winter suggested that it has potential as winter forage for goats in central Appalachia. As an upright browse, bamboo may reduce the exposure of goats to gastrointestinal parasites. Perennial stands of temperate bamboo could prove to be a valuable, multiple-use crop suitable for Appalachian farm operations and easily adaptable to goat production systems.

Keywords

nutritive valuebambooforagegoatsPhyllostachysArundinaria
Type
Research Papers
Information
Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems , Volume 26 , Issue 2 , June 2011 , pp. 161 - 170
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Hunter, I.R. 2003. Bamboo resources, uses and trade: The future? Journal of Bamboo and Rattan 2:319–326.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Liese, W. 1987. Research on bamboo. Wood Science and Technology 21:189–209.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bansal, A.K. and Zoolagud, S.S. 2002. Bamboo composites: material of the future. Journal of Bamboo and Rattan 1:119–130.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Embaye, K. 2001. The potential of bamboo as an interceptor and converter of solar energy into essential goods and services: focus on Ethiopia. International Journal of Sustainable Development and World Ecology 8:346–355.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ben-Zhi, Z., Mao-Yi, F., Jin-Zhong, X., Xiao-Sheng, Y., and Zheng-Cai, L. 2005. Ecological functions of bamboo forest: Research and Application. Journal of Forestry Research 16:143–147.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lobovikov, M., Lou, Y., Schoene, D., and Widenoja, R. 2009. The Poor Man's Carbon Sink: Bamboo in Climate Change and Poverty Alleviation. FAO, Rome, Italy.Google Scholar
Scurlock, J.M.O., Dayton, D.C., and Hames, B. 2000. Bamboo: An overlooked biomass resource? Biomass and Bioenergy 19:229–244.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Adamson, W.C., White, G.A., and Hawley, W.O. 1978. Bamboo Production Research at Savannah, Georgia, 1956–1977. Agricultural Research Service, ARS-S-176. United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC.Google Scholar
Smart, W.W.G. Jr., Matrone, G., Shepard, W.O., Hughes, R.H., and Knox, F.E. 1960. The study of the comparative composition and digestability of cane forage (Arundunaria Sp.) North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station Technical Bulletin No. 140.Google Scholar
Sturkie, D.G., Brown, V.L., and Watson, W.J. 1968. Bamboo Growing in Alabama. Bulletin No. 387, USDA Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn University, Alabama.Google Scholar
Babaasa, D. 2000. Habitat selection by elephants in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, south-western Uganda. African Journal of Ecology 38:116–122.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ballhorn, D.J., Kautz, S., and Rakotoarivelo, F.P. 2009. Quantitative variability of cyanogenesis in Cathariostachys madagascariensis—the main food plant of bamboo lemurs in Southeastern Madagascar. American Journal of Primatology 71:305–315.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Dierenfeld, E.S., Hintz, H.F., Robertson, J.B., Van Soest, P.J., and Oftedal, O.T. 1982. Utilization of Bamboo by the Giant Panda. Journal of Nutrition 112:636–641.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Grueter, C., Li, D., Ren, B., Wei, F., and van Schaik, C. 2009. Dietary profile of Rhinopithecus bieti and its socioecological implications. International Journal of Primatology 30:601–624.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wei, F., Feng, Z., Wang, Z., Zhou, A., and Hu, J. 1999. Use of the nutrients in bamboo by the red panda (Ailurus fulgens). Journal of Zoology 248:535–541.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Yokoyama, S. and Shibata, E. 1998. Characteristics of Sasa nipponica grassland as a summer forage resource for sika deer on Mt Ohdaigahara, central Japan. Ecological Research 13:193–198.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Zheng, L. 1994. Heteropteran insects (Hemiptera) feeding on bamboos in China. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 87:91–96.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Roder, W., Gratzer, G., and Wangdi, K. 2002. Cattle grazing in the conifer forests of Bhutan. Mountain Research and Development 22:368–374.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Huque, K.S., Rahman, M.M., and Jalil, M.A. 2001. Nutritive value of major feed ingredients, usually browsed and their responses to Gayals (Bos frontalis) in the hill tract area. Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences 4:1559–1561.Google Scholar
Paudel, K.C. and Tiwari, B.N. 1992. Fodder and forage production. In Abington, J.B. (ed.). Sustainable Livestock Production in the Mountain Agro-Ecosystem of Nepal. FAO Animal Production and Health Paper No. 105. FAO, Rome Italy. p. 131–154.Google Scholar
Hayashi, Y., Shah, S., Shah, S.K., and Kumagai, H. 2005. Dairy production and nutritional status of lactating buffalo and cattle in small-scale farms in Terai, Nepal. Livestock Research for Rural Development 17, Article No. 64:1–9.Google Scholar
Asaolu, V.O., Odeyinka, S.M., Akinbamijo, O.O., and Sodeinde, F.G. 2010. Effects of moringa and bamboo leaves on groundnut hay utilization by West African Dwarf goats. Livestock Research For Rural Development 22, Article #12. Available at Web site http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd22/1/asao22012.htm (retrieved April 3, 2010).Google Scholar
Smith, O.B., Idowu, O.A., Asaolu, V.O., and Odunlami, O. 1991. Comparative rumen degradability of forages, browse, crop residues and agricultural by-products. Livestock Research for Rural Development 3:1–6.Google Scholar
Ayre-Smith, R.A. 1963. The use of bamboo as cattle feed. East African Agricultural and Forestry Journal 29:50–51.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Isagi, Y., Kawahara, T., and Kamo, K. 1993. Biomass and net production in a bamboo Phyllostachys bambusoides stand. Ecological Research 8:123–133.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kleinhenz, V. and Midmore, D.J. 2001. Aspects of bamboo agronomy. Advances in Agronomy 74:99–153.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Platt, S.G. and Brantley, C.G. 1997. Canebrakes: an ecological and historical perspective. Castanea 62:8–21.Google Scholar
Dawkins, N.L., Mcmillin, K.W., Phelps, O., Gebrelul, S., Beyer, A.J., and Howard, A. 2000. Palatability studies as influenced by consumer demographics and chevon characteristics. Journal of Muscle Foods 11:45–59.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Luginbuhl, J.-M., Green, J.T. Jr., Poore, M.H., and Conrad, A.P. 2000. Use of goats to manage vegetation in cattle pastures in the Appalachian region of North Carolina. Sheep and Goat Research Journal 16:124–135.Google Scholar
Lu, C.D. 1988. Grazing behavior and diet selection of goats. Small Ruminant Research 1:205–216.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Nelson, G., Keller, M., and Cheeke, P.R. 1997. Evaluation of temperate bamboo species as forages for livestock. In Pacific Northwest Bamboo Agroforestry Workshop, June 1997, Pacific Northwest Chapter of the American Bamboo Society, Port Townsend, WA.Google Scholar
Greenway, S.L. 1999. Evaluation of bamboo as livestock forage and applications of Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria products in agriculture. MSc thesis, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR.Google Scholar
Li, R., Werger, M.J.A., During, H.J., and Zhong, Z.C. 1998. Carbon and nutrient dynamics in relation to growth rhythm in the giant bamboo Phyllostachys pubescens. Plant and Soil 201:113–123.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Nelson, D.W. and Sommers, L.E. 1996. Total carbon, organic carbon and organic matter. InSparks, D.L., Page, A.L., Helmke, P.A., Loeppert, R.H., Soltanpour, P.N., Tabatabai, M.A., et al. (eds). Methods of Soil Analysis Part 3: Chemical Methods. No. 5 in the Soil Science Society of America Books Series. Soil Science Society of America, Inc, Madison WI.Google Scholar
Denison, R.F., Fedders, J.M., and Tong, C.B.S. 1990. Amyloglucosidase hydrolysis can overestimate starch concentration of plants. Agronomy Journal 82:361–364.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Van Soest, P.J., Robertson, J.B., and Lewis, B.A. 1991. Methods for dietary fiber, neutral detergent fiber, and nonstarch polysaccharides in relation to animal nutrition. Journal of Dairy Science 74:3583–3597.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Littell, R.C., Milliken, G.A., Stroup, W.W., and Wolfinger, R.D. 1996. SAS System for Mixed Models. SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC.Google Scholar
SAS. 1999. SAS OnlineDoc, Version 8. SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC.Google Scholar
Neel, J.P.S., Feldhake, C.M., and Belesky, D.P. 2008. Influence of solar radiation on the productivity and nutritive value of herbage of cool-season species of an understorey sward in a mature conifer woodland. Grass and Forage Science 63:38–47.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Belesky, D.P., Neel, J.P.S., and Ruckle, J.M. 2006. Prairiegrass–Brassica hybrid swards for autumn dry matter production. Agronomy Journal 98:1227–1235.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Belesky, D., Chatterton, N., and Neel, J. 2006. Dactylis glomerata growing along a light gradient in the central Appalachian region of the eastern USA: III. Nonstructural carbohydrates and nutritive value. Agroforestry Systems 67:51–61.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wiedower, E., Hansen, R., Bissell, H., Ouellette, R., Kouba, A., Stuth, J., Rude, B., and Tolleson, D. 2009. Use of near infrared spectroscopy to discriminate between and predict the nutrient composition of different species and parts of bamboo: application for studying giant panda foraging ecology. Journal of Near Infrared Spectroscopy 17:265–273.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Addlestone, B., Mueller, J., and Luginbuhl, J.M. 1998. The establishment and early growth of three leguminous tree species for use in silvopastoral systems of the southeastern USA. Agroforestry Systems 44:253–265.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mueller, J.P., Luginbuhl, J.-M., and Bergmann, B.A. 2001. Establishment and early growth characteristics of Paulownia spp. for goats browse in Raleigh, NC, USA. Agroforestry Systems 52:63–72.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Nastis, A.S. and Malechek, J.C. 1981. Digestion and utilization of nutrients in oak browse by goats. Journal of Animal Science 53:283–290.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Moore, K.M., Barry, T.N., Cameron, P.N., Lopez-Villalobos, N., and Cameron, D.J. 2003. Willow (Salix sp.) as a supplement for grazing cattle under drought conditions. Animal Feed Science and Technology 104:1–11.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Turner, K.E. and Foster, J.G. 2000. Nutritive value of some common browse species. Proceedings of the American Forage and Grassland Conference 9:241–245.Google Scholar
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. 2010. USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 23. Nutrient Data Laboratory Home Page, http://www.ars.usda.gov/ba/bhnrc/ndl (accessed December 11, 2010).Google Scholar
Satya, S., Bal, L.M., Singhal, P., and Naik, S.N. 2010. Bamboo shoot processing: food quality and safety aspect (a review). Trends in Food Science and Technology 21:181–189.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
NRC. 1981. Nutrient Requirements of Goats. National Academy Press, Washington, DC.Google Scholar
Luo, J., Goetsch, A.L., Nsahlai, I.V., Sahlu, T., Ferrell, C.L., Owens, F.N., Galyean, M.L., Moore, J.E., and Johnson, Z.B. 2004. Metabolizable protein requirements for maintenance and gain of growing goats. Small Ruminant Research 53:309–326.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Liese, W. and Weiner, G. 1996. Ageing of bamboo culms: A review. Wood Science and Technology 30:77–89.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Nirmala, C., David, E., and Sharma, M.L. 2007. Changes in nutrient components during ageing of emerging juvenile bamboo shoots. International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition 58:612–618.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Tripathi, S.K. and Singh, K.P. 1994. Productivity and nutrient cycling in recently harvested and mature bamboo savannas in the dry tropics. Journal of Applied Ecology 31:109–124.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tripathi, S.K., Singh, K.P., and Singh, P.K. 1999. Temporal changes in spatial pattern of fine-root mass and nutrient concentrations in Indian bamboo savanna. Applied Vegetation Science 2:229–238.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Li, X.B., Shupe, T.F., Peter, G.F., Hse, C.Y., and Eberhardt, Y.L. 2007. Chemical changes with maturation of the bamboo species Phyllostachys pubescens. Journal of Tropical Forest Science 19:6–12.Google Scholar
Lu, B., Ren, Y., Zhang, Y., and Gong, J. 2009. Effects of genetic variability, parts and seasons on the sterol content and composition in bamboo shoots. Food Chemistry 112:1016–1021.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lu, B., Wu, X., Tie, X., Zhang, Y., and Zhang, Y. 2005. Toxicology and safety of anti-oxidant of bamboo leaves. Part 1: Acute and subchronic toxicity studies on anti-oxidant of bamboo leaves. Food and Chemical Toxicology 43:783–792.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Etsuko, K., Nobuyauki, K., and Toshiharu, K. 1983. Organic acid, sugar and amino acid composition of bamboo shoots. Journal of Food Science 48:935–938.Google Scholar
Haque, M.R. and Bradbury, J.H. 2002. Total cyanide determination of plants and foods using the picrate and acid hydrolysis methods. Food Chemistry 77:107–114.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Barbosa, J.D., de Oliveira, C.M.C., Duarte, M.D., Riet-Correa, G., Peixoto, P.V., and Tokarnia, C.H. 2006. Poisoning of horses by bamboo, Bambusa vulgaris. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 26:393–398.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ayers, A.C., Barrett, R.P., and Cheeke, P.R. 1996. Feeding value of tree leaves (hybrid poplar and black locust) evaluated with sheep, goats and rabbits. Animal Feed Science and Technology 57:51–62.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mandal, L. 1997. Nutritive values of tree leaves of some tropical species for goats. Small Ruminant Research 24:95.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Niezen, J.H., Charleston, W.A., Hodgson, J., Miller, C.M., Waghorn, T.S., and Robertson, H.A. 1998. Effect of plant species on the larvae of gastrointestinal nematodes which parasitise sheep. International Journal for Parasitology 28:791–803.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Zajac, A.M. and Moore, G.A. 1993. Treatment and control of gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep. The Compendium on Continuing Education for the Practicing Veterinarian (USA) 15:999–1011.Google Scholar
Silangwa, S.M. and Todd, A.C. 1964. Vertical migration of trichostrongylid larvae on grasses. Journal of Parasitology 50:278–285.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Zajac, A.M. 2006. Gastrointestinal nematodes of small ruminants: life cycle, anthelmintics, and diagnosis. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice 22:529–541.Google ScholarPubMed
Sharrow, S.H. 1999. Silvopastoralism: competition and facilitation between trees, livestock, and improved grass-clover pastures on temperate rainfed lands. In Buck, L.E., Lassoie, J., and Fernandez, E.C.M. (eds). Agroforestry in Sustainable Agricultural Systems. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL.Google Scholar
Banana, A.Y. and Tweheyo, M. 2001. The ecological changes of Echuya afromontane bamboo forest, Uganda. African Journal of Ecology 39:366–373.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gratzer, G., Rai, P.B., and Glatzel, G. 1999. The influence of the bamboo Yushania microphylla on regeneration of Abies densa in central Bhutan. Canadian Journal of Forest Research-Revue Canadienne De Recherche Forestiere 29:1518–1527.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chou, C.-H. 1989. The role of allelopathy in biochemical ecology: experience from Taiwan. Biologia Plantarum 31:458–470.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Prasad, S.N. 1985. Impact of grazing, fire and extraction on the bamboo (Dendrocalamus strictus and Bambusa arundinacea) populations of Karnataka. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 14:1.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Darabant, A., Rai, P.B., Tenzin, K., Roder, W., and Gratzer, G. 2007. Cattle grazing facilitates tree regeneration in a conifer forest with palatable bamboo understory. Forest Ecology and Management 252:73–83.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Luginbuhl, J.M., Harvey, T., Green, J., Poore, M., and Mueller, J. 1998. Use of goats as biological agents for the renovation of pastures in the Appalachian region of the United States. Agroforestry Systems 44:241–252.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gratani, L., Crescente, M.F., Varone, L., Fabrini, G., and Digiulio, E. 2008. Growth pattern and photosynthetic activity of different bamboo species growing in the Botanical Garden of Rome. Flora—Morphology, Distribution, Functional Ecology of Plants 203:77–84.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Diver, S. 2001. Bamboo: A multipurpose agroforestry crop Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas ATTRA Publication No. CT150/168.Google Scholar
Czarnota, M.A. and Derr, J. 2009. Controlling bamboo (Phyllostachys spp.) with herbicides. Weed Technology 21:80–83.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Davis, A.S., Cousens, R.D., Hill, J., Mack, R.N., Simberloff, D., and Raghu, S. 2010. Screening bioenergy feedstock crops to mitigate invasion risk. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment. doi: 101890/090030.CrossRefGoogle Scholar