Plant attributes, morphometric and soil hydrological properties as influenced by common indigenous pastures used in reseeding programs in dryland Africa; African foxtail grass (Cenchrus ciliaris), Bush rye grass (Enteropogon macrostachyus) and Maasai Love grass (Eragrostis superba) are shown in Tables 1 and 2 below.
Table 1: Plant attributes of some indigenous grass species used for reseeding programmes
Grass species | Biomass yield (kg/ha) | Plant frequency (%) | Plant density (plants m-2) | Basal cover (%) | Seed production (kg/ha) |
C. ciliaris | 1026.6±55a | 44.4±19.63a | 7±5.23a | 30±26.44a | 145±13a |
E. macrostachyus | 744.0±28b | 72.3±25.43b | 36±2.1b | 54±19.29b | 56±25b |
E. superba | 896.5±44c | 38.7±9.82a | 5±6.25a | 23±15.44a | 119±17c |
Column means followed by different letters are significantly different at P < 0.05
Table 2: Infiltration capacity (cm3) in relation to grass stubble heights (cm)
Stubble height (cm) | Infiltration capacity (cm3) | ||
Cenchrus ciliaris | Enteropogon macrostachyus | Eragrostis superba | |
0 | 1047a ± 0 | 1047a ± 0 | 1047a ± 0 |
20 | 1530b ± 65.57 | 1413c ± 32.15 | 1067d ± 30.55 |
40 | 1883c ± 25.17 | 1760d ± 55.68 | 1513b ± 70.95 |
Column and row means followed by different letters are significantly different at P < 0.05
Reseeding programs aim at improving existing ground cover and pasture biomass to an extent or in a manner not possible by grazing management. This can be accomplished by over-sowing into existing vegetation with a superior species, reseeding a denuded land and establishing a completely new pasture, with or without the aid of irrigation. Flood based irrigation and road water harvesting are two viable and low-entry methods to boost fodder production in drylands. A high soil moisture content and prolonged plant growth can be ensured by spreading water on the field or by capturing it through trenches. These will allow water time to infiltrate slowly, this water will move in both vertical and lateral directions, thus recharging groundwater and soil moisture. Systematically introducing the spreading of short term floods from ephemeral rivers and from road drainage combined with water retention in trenches will lead to increase of soil moisture levels. This can revitalize drylands into a highly productive production system – in terms of return to labour. Growing fodder with flood and road drainage water has several advantages: (1) it turns a threat (flood/drainage water) into an asset; (2) it reliefs the pressure on the dry rangelands and creates an economically rewarding production system, and (3) it requires almost no land preparation and hence it can also be applied in areas that are short in skills and labour.