Mixed Farming in East Africa II.-Grassland and Arable Dairying in the Trans Nzoia District

Abstract

The types of grassland occurring in the Trans Nzoia, a district of. 1, 155 square miles in the European area of Kenya Colony, are described, The grassland is classified as follows; (a) Natural grasslands, in the poorer parts of which such coarse grasses as Cymbopogon spp. and Hyparrhenia sp. multiply and cause a rapid deterioration of the pasturage. Under-grazed and unburnt areas include Setaria sp., Chloris gayana, Themeda triandra, Cynodon sp., Digitaria sp. Brachiaria sp., Hyparrhenia sp., Panicum sp., Amphilophis pertusa[Bothriochloa pertusa] (in the drier districts) Eragrostis sp., and others.m (b) Burnt veldt grassland. Grassland which has been burnt over tends to have fewer species and those resistant to fire predominate. Such species are Themeda triandra, Eragrostis chalcantha and Trichopteryx kagerensis. (c) Well grazed fertile grassland. Kikuyu grass (Pennisetum clandestinum) is indigenous in these areas and the Star grasses (Cynodon sp.), of good grazing value, occupy the land where fertility is high and the grazing is controlled. Kenya wild white clover (Trifolium johnstonii) is indigenous to the area, but is rarely found in natural pastures. Grazing legumes are uncommon but Trifolium subrotundum, an annual clover, is well represented. (d) Reverted pastures. Maize land is often allowed to revert to pasture and is first colonized by the star grasses and blue couch (Digitaria scalarum). The rapid spread of poor quality rhizomatous grasses renders the return of these lands to arable cultivation troublesome in moist districts. The feeding value of the indigenous veldt grasses may be improved by the prevention of burning and the substitution of paddocking followed by intensive rotational grazing. As a result of the work carried out at Kitale by the Department of Agriculture, a number of indigenous and introduced grasses are known which are suitable for permanent and temporary leys. In general, the English grasses introduced have failed to resist the heat and to withstand the dry season. A possible exception is cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata]which makes prolific growth. A list of African grasses suitable for the region is given and their uses are indicated. Less success was experienced with the trials of legumes, the most promising of these appearing to be Lespedeza stipulacea, Lespedeza striata and possibly Medicago denticulata. The need for the prevention of erosion in the district is emphasized and in this connexion overgrazing by stock should be avoided. Attention is drawn to the value of efficient windbreaks in preventing excessive evaporation and loss of moisture. A number of grasses are enumerated of value for hay crops, silage and green fodder. Eragros-iis abyssinica, Panicum maximum and Panicum coloratum may prove to be useful hay plants. For silage maize is recommended while for green fodder, elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) and Sudan grass (Andropogon sorghum[Sorghum bicolor] var. sudanense) are usefuleau.