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  • About
  • The Global ETD Search service is a free service for researchers to find electronic theses and dissertations. This service is provided by the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations.
    Our metadata is collected from universities around the world. If you manage a university/consortium/country archive and want to be added, details can be found on the NDLTD website.
1

Alterações no desenvolvimento de Lactuca sativa L. e Dalbergia miscolobium Benth. produzidas por extratos de folhas de Brachiaria decumbens Stapf. e Melinis minutiflora Beauv.

Bonfim, Daniela Cristina 13 June 2007 (has links)
Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:31:38Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DissDCB.pdf: 1626871 bytes, checksum: d14e418a437d0b20300f24074864567c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-06-13 / The present study objected to appraise in vitro the kind of interference that is produced by addicion of leaves extracts Brachiaria decumbens Stapf and Melinis minutiflora Beauv. (exotic species, alien weeds) collected in raining season (12/01/2006) and dry season (10/08/2006) over germination and initial development of Lactuca sativa L. (bioindicator species) and Dalbergia miscolobium Benth. (native species of savanna). It were verified also that pH and osmotic potencial of both B. decumbens and M. minutiflora extracts did not cause interference in seed germination indices. The germination of D. miscolobium was not affected by leaves extracts obtained of material collected in dry season and raining season. The germination speed was more sensitive to action of extracts than germination percentage of L. sativa. The total length of the seedlings was reduced in practically all treatments when, compared with the control group, however significative statistical differences were observed just in above-ground part of the seedlings of L. sativa treated with leaves extracts of B. decumbens collected in dry season. The L. sativa root was stimulated when leaves extracts of M. minutiflora collected in dry season was added in Petri dishes. For seedlings of D. miscolobium the leaves extracts of B. decumbens collected in dry season decreased the length of the above-ground part and the root, and the same was observed for leaves extracts of M. minutiflora collected in the raining season. Anatomy studies of root-tip cells carried of D. miscolobium e L. sativa showed that the extracts of B. decumbens e M. minutiflora cause damage on the root cells of seedlings with different intensities, but the root cells of D. miscolobium, showed alterations most emphasized. / O presente estudo teve por objetivo avaliar in vitro qual o tipo de interferência é produzido pela adição de extratos de folhas de Brachiaria decumbens Stapf e Melinis minutiflora Beauv (espécies exóticas, invasoras do cerrado), coletadas na estação chuvosa e na estação seca sobre a germinação e o desenvolvimento inicial de Lactuca sativa L. (espécie bioindicadora) e Dalbergia miscolobium Benth. (espécie nativa do cerrado). Foi verificado também que o pH e o potencial osmótico dos extratos de B. decumbens e M. minutiflora não causaram interferência nos índices de germinação das sementes. A germinação de D. miscolobium não foi afetada pelos extratos foliares obtidos de material coletados nas estações seca e chuvosa. A velocidade de germinação foi mais sensível à ação dos extratos do que a porcentagem de germinação de L. sativa. O comprimento total das plântulas foi reduzido em praticamente todos os tratamentos quando, comparados ao grupo controle, contudo, diferenças estatisticamente significativas foram observadas apenas na parte aérea das plântulas de L. sativa tratadas com extratos de folhas de B. decumbens coletadas na estação seca. Houve estímulo do crescimento radicular de L. sativa quando extrato de folhas de M. minutiflora colhidas na estação seca foi adicionado ao meio. Para as plântulas de D. miscolobium o extrato de folhas de B. decumbens colhidas na estação seca reduziu o comprimento da parte aérea e da raiz, sendo o mesmo fato observado com o uso de extrato de M. minutiflora da estação chuvosa. Estudos anatômicos de tecidos meristemáticos das raízes de D. miscolobium e L. sativa evidenciaram que os extratos de B. decumbens e M. minutiflora provocaram danos às células das raízes destas plântulas em diferentes intensidades, mas as células das raízes de D. miscolobium, exibiram alterações mais acentuadas.
2

The effect of crop quality and pre-treatment on germination in Scots pine and Norway spruce seeds

Hilli, A. (Anu) 03 February 2009 (has links)
Abstract Weather conditions during the growing season are determining the size and quality of the Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) seed crop in northern areas. Pathogens, fungi, and insects also have an effect on seed crops. The varying quality of seeds from forest stands and seed orchards does not full fill the germination requirements of tree nurseries. Multi-phase pre-treatment are therefore used in forest tree seed centres to improve seed lots quality. The main objectives of this study were to analyse long-term variation in the size and quality of Scots pine seed crops in Northern Finland. Determine the impact of fungal injuries on the structures of Norway spruce seeds. To detect changes in the germination capacity and rate of Norway spruce seeds during pre-treatment phases and to determine the impacts of short-term and long-term storage on the germination of treated seeds. The study found that in most years, regeneration of Scots pine in Northern Finland is limited by quantity as well as quality the seed crop. The long-term average of the Scots pine seed crop was 77seeds/m2 and the long-term average expected germination percentage was 61%. Aeciospores of the inlad spruce cone rust Chrysomyxa pirolata (Körnicke) Wint. were found to form inside Norway spruce seeds, destroying the nucellar layers and reducing germination of seeds. In general, the germination capacity and rate of Norway spruce seeds increased during pre-treatment phases. The germination capacity of seeds increased about 30% and the rate by more than 40% during pre-treatment. During long-term storage the germination capacity and rate of pre-treated Scots pine seeds were preserved better in frozen storage than in cool storage. It was found that pre-treated Scots pine forest stand seeds can be stored for several years in frozen conditions. The germination capacity and rate of pre-treated orchard seeds were effected significantly more than those from forest stands. It is therefore recommended that Scots pine seeds from orchards be stored without pre-treatment. The germination capacity and rate of treated Norway spruce seeds from orchards was not significantly different after one year of storage.
3

Armazenabilidade de pirênios de Byrsonima Crassifolia (l.) Kunt muricizeiro, em função de diferentes metódos de superacão de dormência

Silva, Juliane Gomes da 05 August 2016 (has links)
O muricizeiro como popularmente é conhecido, pertence a família Malpighiaceae, gênero Byrsonima e mais especificadamente a espécie crassifolia L. Rich, nativa do bioma Cerrado, com principal dispersão na Amazônia e ampla distribuição geográfica. A utilização de métodos rápidos e eficientes para a determinação da umidade de sementes pode auxiliar na preservação de espécies florestais, já que a umidade é um dos fatores que mais influenciam no processo de deterioração das sementes florestais. Objetivou-se determinar o grau de umidade presente nos pirênios de Byrsonima crassifolia e avaliar a germinação dos pirênios durante o armazenamento. Os frutos foram coletados no Reassentamento Mariana-Palmas-TO. Os frutos passaram por processo de beneficiamentos, onde foi removida a polpa dos frutos, seguida da desidratação dos pirênios, que foi realizada em três etapas: primeira o teste de umidade inicial dos pirênios, logo após o beneficiamento utilizando o método da estufa a 105 ± 3ºC, por 24 horas, com cinco repetições e recipientes contendo 5 gramas de pirênios. Segunda etapa, o método de secagem intermitente de todos os pirênios do trabalho, na estufa a 40ºC por 30 minutos até estabilizar o peso, sendo repetida por 16 vezes. Por fim a determinação do grau de umidade final, pelo método da estufa a 105 ± 3ºC, por 24 horas, com cinco repetições e recipientes contendo 5 gramas de pirênios secos. A umidade inicial dos pirênios de Byrsonima crassifolia foi de 49,71% e a umidade final de 6,3%, dessa forma pode-se inferir que os pirênios estão adequados para o armazenamento e/ou submissão a testes de germinação. Posterior ao teste de umidade foi realizado o teste de germinação com os pirênios de Byrsonima crassifolia, considerando o tempo de armazenamento de 0,60,120 e 180 dias e os métodos superação da dormência, sendo: escarificação química com ácido sulfúrico (H2SO4) concentrado por 20 e 40 minutos; ácido giberélico na concentração 500mg L-1 (GA3) por 24 e 48 horas; escarificação mecânica com lixa número 80 por 30 segundos; lixa número 80 por 30 segundos mais imersão em água por 24 e 48 horas respectivamente e o Testemunha. Foi avaliado a porcentagem de germinação (%G) e índice de velocidade de germinação (IVG) dos pirênios de Byrsonima crassifolia, em cada período de semeadura. Byrsonima crassifolia, apresentou melhores resultados aos 120 dias de armazenamento e os métodos mais eficientes foram na escarificação química, resultados superiores foram evidenciados com H2SO4 40 minutos e GA3 48 horas, porém o armazenamento e todos os métodos de superação da dormência apresentaram resultados, o mais satisfatório, portanto foi aos 120 dias. / The use of fast and efficient methods for determining seed moisture can help in the preservation of forest species, because moisture is one of the factors that most influence on the deterioration of forest seeds. The objective is to investigate whether the moisture content can influence the storage and/or submission to germination tests, also to test the mechanisms of dormancy, duration and efficient methods that facilitate the germination in species of pyrenes. The experiment was conducted in three stages: first stage was tested the method of stove at 105 ± 3 °C for 24 hours, with five repetitions and containers with 5 grams of wet seeds. Second stage, the method of intermittent drying in the stove at 40 °C for 30 minutes until stabilize the weight, repeated by 15 times. Third stage method of stove at 105 ± 3 °C for 24 hours, with five repetitions and containers with 5 grams of dried seeds. Byrsonima crassifolia presents characteristics of orthodox species, with high humidity after the beneficiation, but to be subjected to drying procedures reached low water levels, however, remained within normal limits. The wet basis of the pyrenes of Byrsonima crassifolia found was of 49.71% of moisture and in the dry basis reached 6.3% of moisture, this way can be inferred that the seeds tested are suitable for storage and / or submission to germination tests. After the humidity test was conducted the germination test with the pyrenes of Byrsonima crassifolia, considering the storage time of 0, 60, 120 and 180 days and the methods of overcoming dormancy, being: chemical scarification with sulfuric acid (H2SO4 ) concentrated by 20 and 40 minutes; gibberellic acid concentration 500mg L-1 (GA3) for 24 and 48 hours; mechanical scarification with sandpaper number 80 for 30 seconds; sandpaper number 80 for 30 seconds more immersion in water for 24 and 48 hours respectively and the control. The objective is to evaluate the germination percentage (% G) and germination speed index (GSI) of pyrenes of Byrsonima crassifolia, in each planting period. Byrsonima crassifolia, has better results at 120 days of storage and the most efficient methods were chemical scarification, superior results were evidenced with H2SO4 40 minutes GA3 48 hours, however the storage and all methods of overcoming dormancy presented results, the most satisfactory was to the 120 days.
4

Características físicas e fisiológicas de Aquênios de Lychnophora ericoides Mart. (Arnica-do-campo) de uma população ocorrente na serra da Bocaína, região do Alto Paranaíba, Minas Gerais

Lopes, Susana Weber 07 March 2008 (has links)
Lychnophora ericoides is a shrub like species, endemic to rock outcrops areas, whose cultivation practices are unknown and its irregular maturation being the great problem for seedling production. The objective of the work was to evaluate the germination of L. ericoides cypsela collected from across different altitudes of a population occurring in the Serra da Bocaina, region of Alto Paranaíba, Minas Gerais, and submitted to methods for cypselas selection with relation to density. In the first experiment, arnica capitulum of 20 access (altitudes between 1102 and 1245m) formed a completely randomized design, with 20 access (treatments) and four repetitions, in groups with 50 cypselas removed from the borders of the capitulum. In the second experiment, samples of the same cypselas were placed in a blower for 3 minutes and 20 seconds, the heaviest being separated in two groups. Half of the cypselas were washed in running water for 24 hours and the other half were submerged in sulfuric acid for 1 minute and soon after washed in running water for 24 hours. After the separation, the germination test was set up in a completely randomized design in factorial scheme of 2 x 20, the first factor corresponding to treatments (water and sulfuric acid) and the second factor, to the 20 access in four repetitions containing 50 cypselas. In both experiments, the cypsela were distributed in gerbox containing blotting paper humidified with distilled water, being counted, first the cypselas germinated in function of the protrusion of the radicle and, in the second, normal seedlings. In the first experiment, the cypselas presented low percentage of germination (maximum 15%). The small difference between the germination percentage and viability indicated that few cypselas at the end of the germination test were viable, a result proven by the high percentage of empty cypselas (above 65.5%). The percentage relative to germination (full cypselas) showed high capacity of cypsela germination (72.38, 78.13 and 66.85% for cypselas from access 1, 3 and 5, respectively). The variation of the altitude gradient of 143 m was not lineally related to the presence of empty seeds, not even to the physiologic quality of the cypselas. The cypsela germination was slow and distributed over time. After the density test, the maximum germination was also low (maximum 34% for the access 2 submitted to sulfuric acid). The use of sulfuric acid after the density test, in a general way, improved the quality of the cypselas and increased the percentage of cypsela germination of same. / Lychnophora ericoides, conhecida como arnica-do-campo, é uma espécie arbustiva, endêmica dos campos rupestres, cujas práticas de cultivo são desconhecidas, sendo a maturação desuniforme o grande problema para produção de mudas. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a germinação de cipselas de L. ericoides coletados de acessos em diferentes altitudes de uma população ocorrente na Serra da Bocaina, região do Alto Paranaíba, Minas Gerais e submetidos a métodos para seleção dos cipselas quanto à densidade. No primeiro experimento, capítulos florais de 20 acessos (altitudes entre 1102 e 1245 m) formaram um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com 20 acessos (tratamentos) e quatro repetições, em parcelas com 50 cipselas retirados das bordas dos capítulos. No segundo experimento, amostras dos mesmos cipselas foram colocadas em soprador por 3 minutos e 20 segundos, sendo os mais pesados separados em dois grupos. Metade dos cipselas foi lavada em água corrente por 24 horas e a outra metade ficou submersa em ácido sulfúrico por 1 minuto e em seguida lavados em água corrente por 24 horas. Após a separação, o teste de germinação foi instalado em delineamento inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 2 x 20, sendo o primeiro fator correspondente aos tratamentos (ácido sulfúrico e água) e o segundo fator, aos acessos em quatro repetições contendo 50 cipselas. Em ambos os experimentos, os cipselas foram distribuídos em gerbox contendo papel mata-borrão umedecido com água deionizada, sendo contados, no primeiro, os cipselas germinados em função da protrusão da radícula e, no segundo, plantas normais. No primeiro experimento, os cipselas apresentaram baixo percentual de germinação (máximo 15%). A pequena diferença entre o percentual de germinação e de viabilidade indicou que poucos cipselas no final do teste de germinação estavam viáveis, resultado comprovado pelo elevado percentual de cipselas chochos (acima de 65,5%). O percentual relativo de germinação (cipselas cheios) mostrou alta capacidade de germinação dos cipselas (78,13; 72,38 e 66,85% para cipselas dos acessos 7, 11 e 20, respectivamente). A variação do gradiente de altitude de 143 m não esteve linearmente relacionada à presença de cipselas chochos, nem mesmo com a qualidade fisiológica dos mesmos. A germinação dos cipselas foi lenta e distribuída no tempo. Após o teste densimétrico, a germinação máxima também foi baixa (máximo 34% para cipselas do acesso 2, quando submetidos ao ácido sulfúrico). A utilização de ácido sulfúrico após o teste densimétrico, de maneira geral, aumentou o percentual de germinação dos cipselas de alguns acessos. / Mestre em Agronomia
5

Produção de mudas de Schinus terebinthifolius RADDI provenientes de sementes coletadas em diferentes locais e submetidas a níveis de luminosidade / Production of seedlings of Schinus terebinthifolius RADDI from seeds collected in different locations and subjected to light levels

Barbado, Norma 27 August 2014 (has links)
Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T17:40:52Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Norma_Barbado.pdf: 2070778 bytes, checksum: ed667fd80db82f8ed6cdf85c71dfa73e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-08-27 / The collection site of seeds and the environment where seedlings develop can be limiting factors for the development of forest plants. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the germination and seedling growth of the pink pepper tree (Schinus terebinthifolius RADDI), grown from seeds from four locations with different altitudes (São Francisco do Sul - SC, Foz do Iguaçu - PR, Maringá PR and Guarapuava - PR) and developed under different light conditions (50, 60, 70 and 100%). The seeds were collected from three arrays of each selected place and sent to Refúgio Biológico Bela Vista de Itaipu, where a sample was taken for analysis of vigor and germination according to the methodology of the Rules for Seed Analysis. The experimental design used in the germination test was randomized with twelve replicates of 50 seeds per treatment. Analyses related to the development of the seedlings occurred from collections in 30, 60, 90 and 120 days after sowing, assessing growth rates on the plant height, the size of the root, diameter of the collect, the number of leaves, fresh and dry weight of leaves, fresh and dry weight of stem + petiole, fresh and dry weight of root, fresh weight and total dry mass. The experiment was arranged in triple factorial scheme with four levels for each factor (43). The factors evaluated were: local seed collection, luminosity and time, with nine replications, discarding the two highest and the two lowest values. Data were analyzed by multivariate analysis of variance and for the meaningful responses to the variables it was used analysis of variance univariate and Tukey test. To identify the best treatment for the production of seedlings of Pink Pepper, the set of response variables (b1) from the treatments applied to principal component analysis (PCA) on the correlation matrix (Pearson) of variables and the criterion for retention of principal components (PCs) used was "broken-stick", also used on the randomizing test. The seeds that showed better percentage of normal seedlings, better germination in the first count (7 DAS), higher index of germination speed, best length of roots and shoots of seedlings at 21 DAS were those from São Francisco do Sul - SC. The seeds that showed the lowest germination rate and a lower percentage of the first count germination (7 DAS), were from Maringá - PR. The best seedlings of the Pink Pepper were obtained from seeds collected in Maringá - PR at 70% brightness, with lower variability. The seedlings that had the lowest rates of development were produced with the seeds of São Francisco do Sul - SC and Foz do Iguaçu - PR at 50% brightness / O local de coleta de sementes e o ambiente onde as mudas se desenvolvem, podem ser fatores limitantes para o desenvolvimento de mudas de plantas florestais. Diante do exposto, a execução deste estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a germinação e o crescimento de plântulas de aroeira vermelha (Schinus terebinthifolius RADDI), oriundas de sementes provenientes de quatro locais com diferentes altitudes (São Francisco do Sul - SC, Foz do Iguaçu - PR, Maringá - PR e Guarapuava - PR), desenvolvidas sob diferentes condições de luminosidade (50, 60, 70 e 100%). As sementes foram coletadas de três plantas matrizes de cada local selecionado e encaminhadas ao Refúgio Biológico Bela Vista de Itaipu, onde foi retirada uma amostra para as análises do vigor e germinação das sementes de acordo com a metodologia das Regras para Análise de Sementes. O delineamento experimental usado no teste de germinação foi inteiramente casualizado, com doze repetições de 50 sementes por tratamento. As análises relacionadas ao desenvolvimento das mudas produzidas ocorreram a partir das coletas em 30, 60, 90 e 120 dias após a semeadura, avaliando-se as taxas de crescimento relativas à altura da planta, ao tamanho da raiz, ao diâmetro de coleto, ao número de folíolos, a massa fresca e massa seca das folhas, a massa fresca e massa seca do caule + pecíolo, a massa fresca e massa seca da raiz, a massa fresca e massa seca total. O delineamento experimental foi organizado em esquema fatorial triplo, com quatro níveis em cada fator (43). Os fatores avaliados foram: local de coleta das sementes, luminosidade e tempo, com nove repetições, descartando-se os dois maiores e os dois menores valores. Os dados foram avaliados por meio da análise de variância multivariada e para as variáveis respostas significativas, utilizou-se a análise de variância univariada e o teste de Tukey. Visando identificar o melhor tratamento para a produção das mudas de aroeira-vermelha, no conjunto das variáveis respostas (b1) provenientes dos tratamentos aplicou-se a análise de componentes principais (PCA) sobre a matriz de correlação (Pearson) das variáveis e o critério de retenção de componentes principais (PCs) adotado foi o de broken-stick , também foi utilizado o teste de randomização. As sementes que apresentaram melhor porcentagem de plântulas normais, melhor porcentagem de germinação na primeira contagem (7 DAS), maior índice de velocidade de germinação, melhor comprimento de raiz e parte aérea das plântulas aos 21 DAS, foram as oriundas de São Francisco do Sul - SC. As sementes que apresentaram menor índice de velocidade de germinação e menor porcentagem de germinação na primeira contagem (7 DAS), foram as provenientes de Maringá - PR. As melhores mudas de aroeira vermelha foram obtidas a partir de sementes coletadas em Maringá - PR a 70% de luminosidade, apresentando menor variabilidade. As mudas de aroeira vermelha que apresentaram as menores taxas de desenvolvimento foram as produzidas com sementes de São Francisco do Sul - SC e Foz do Iguaçu - PR a 50% de luminosidade
6

Effects of nutrient-tannin interactions on intake and germination of woody plant species by ruminants

Monegi, Piet 07 1900 (has links)
Woody plant encroachment is one of the major problems worldwide because it affects negatively the herbaceous layer, which provide forage for livestock production. However, the role of ruminants particularly browsers in the dispersal of woody plant seeds still remains a concern for farmers interested in grass production. Seedpods of various woody plant species constitute a crucial part of the diet of herbivores during the dry season because of their high nutritional quality compared to herbaceous material. The interaction of associated diet quality, seed characteristics and animal species among other factors play a pivotal part in the success of livestock faecal seeds dispersion. Furthermore, dispersed seeds that successfully grow into mature woody plants become an important source of protein for herbivores. The use of woody plants as a source forage is known to be limited by plant secondary metabolites (PSMs) such as condensed tannins. The objectives of this study were to determine 1) the effects of condensed tannins and crude protein of Vachellia tortilis and Dichrostachys cinerea pods in seed recovery and germination fed to goats, and 2) the effects of diet mixing on the feed intake of plant species by goats. In the first experiment, a total of 12 female indigenous goats and 12 female Pedi sheep were utilised in this study, with the average body weights of 29.50 kg ± 1.60 (S.E) and 28.70 kg ± 1.60, respectively. Twelve goats were grouped into two groups of six goats per group, one group was fed D. cinerea pods and the other group was fed V. tortilis pods. The group of 12 sheep were divided similarly, the one group was fed D. cinerea pods and the other group was fed V. tortilis pods. Each animal was given V. tortilis and D. cinerea pods at 2.50% of their body weight. All animals were allowed to consume D. cinerea or V. tortilis pods within 24 h, after which the remaining pods were collected and weighed. Faecal collection commenced immediately after the 24 h pods feeding and was carried on until no seeds were discovered in faeces. All faeces extracted from sheep and goats were collected daily in the morning from the faecal bags. In the second experiment, a total of 24 indigenous goats with average body weight of 26.6 kg ± 0.51 were utilised. Goats were arbitrarily selected and grouped into four groups of six goats per group (goats were placed individually in 2 m2 pens). Each group was fed one of the following diets: diet one - Searsia lancea, diet two - S. pyroides, diet three - Euclea crispa and diet four - was a combination of the three plant species (Searsia lancea, S. pyroides and Euclea crispa). Searsia lancea, S. pyroides and E. crispa branches were collected every morning prior to feeding, and were weighed before offering the animals. Refusals were gathered and weighed, and intake was calculated as distinction between weight in and refusals. Plant species foliage were analysed for crude protein, condensed tannin, acid detergent lignin, acid detergent fibre and neutral detergent fibre. During the first experiment, the cumulative percentage seed recovery of V. tortilis from goats (46.00 % ± 1.90) and sheep (52.00 % ± 2.93) was significantly higher than D. cinerea from goats (13 % ± 1.47) and sheep (24.00 % ± 1.16). Germination percentage of D. cinerea seeds that passed through the gastro-intestinal tract of goats (33.12 % ± 2.94) and sheep (36.00 % ± 2.68) was significantly higher than V. tortilis seeds that passed through the gastro-intestinal tract of goats (28.98 % ± 2.68) and sheep (23.04 % ± 2.81). Average D. cinerea (34.56 % ± 1.99) and V. tortilis (26.02 %± 2.10) seeds that went through the gastro-intestinal of goats and sheep had a significantly higher germination rate than the control (i.e. no passage through the gut; D. cinerea = 2.31 % ± 1.55, V. tortilis = 5.07 % ± 2.68). The high mean cumulative percentage seed recovery of V. tortilis (18.80 %) may be attributed to the relatively higher crude protein than D. cinerea (12.20 %). This may encourage animal seed dispersal and germination of woody plant species with relatively high crude protein content. In the second experiment, Searsia lancea contained 8.50 % CP, 21.46 % acid detergent fibre (ADF), 12.50 % ADL and 39.37 % NDF. Searsia pyroides had 9.03 % CP, 27.07 % ADF, 10.89 % ADL and 40.30 % NDF. Euclea crispa had 6.19 % CP, 26.20 % ADF, 16.63 % ADL and 30.02 % NDF. Mixed diet (combination of the three plant species) had 8.96 % CP, 23.72 % ADF, 11.13 % ADL and 38.28 % NDF. Searsia lancea had 2.70 % of CTs while S. pyroides had 5.20 % CT, E. crispa had 6.44 % CT and mixed diet had 7.20 % CT. The mean dry matter intake varied significantly among dietary groups (P < 0.001). Similarly, goats offered a mixed diet consumed more CTs (P < 0.01) than those offered individual forage species. The high mean cumulative percentage seed recovery of V. tortilis may be attributed to the higher crude protein of V. tortilis (18.80 %) than D. cinerea (12.20 %). Higher passage rate may encourage animal seed dispersal and germination of plant species. The results from experiment two support the postulation that animals foraging in mixed diet systems consume more PSMs and achieve higher dry matter intake than animals confined to monocultures or single species feeding systems. Given that woody plant encroachment is already reducing farm-grazing capacities in African savannas and this problem is predicted to double by 2050, strategies that improve herbivore ability to consume woody plants will increase forage availability and inform bush control programmes and policies. Moreover, the concomitant increase in CTs by goats exposed to diets with diverse species also has positive implications for animal / Agriculture, Animal Health and Human Ecology / M. Sc. (Agriculture)

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