(a) Complete the table below on forage crops Botanical name Common name Types of forage Pennisetum purpureum (i) Grass Calopogonium mucunoides (ii) (iii) (i...

(a) Complete the table below on forage crops

(b)i. Define the term pasture 

ii. State four ways in which grass-legume mixture is important in livestock production

(c) State six characteristics of rangelands

Answer Details

(a) Botanical name Common name Types of forage Pennisetum purpureum Napier grass Grass Calopogonium mucunoides Calopo Legume Stylosanthes spp. Stylo Legume Brachiaria decumbens Signal grass Grass Panicum maxinium Guinea grass Grass Mucuna utilis Velvet bean Legume (b) i. Pasture refers to a piece of land covered with grass or other plants that are suitable for grazing livestock. ii. Grass-legume mixture is important in livestock production in the following ways: 1. Nutritious forage: Legumes such as clover and alfalfa have a high protein content and provide essential nutrients to livestock. When mixed with grasses, the forage becomes more nutritious and balanced. 2. Increased animal performance: Grass-legume mixtures have been shown to increase animal weight gain, milk production, and reproductive performance. 3. Soil fertility: Legumes in the mixture fix nitrogen from the air into the soil, which increases soil fertility and reduces the need for fertilizers. 4. Reduced costs: Grass-legume mixtures can reduce the cost of feeding livestock as the forage is more nutritious and requires less supplementation. (c) Rangelands are large areas of land that are primarily covered with grasses, shrubs, and other vegetation, and are used for grazing livestock. Some characteristics of rangelands include: 1. Biodiversity: Rangelands support a diverse range of plant and animal species, many of which are adapted to harsh environmental conditions. 2. Grazing: Rangelands are used for livestock grazing and are often managed to maintain a balance between vegetation and grazing pressure. 3. Water resources: Rangelands play an important role in water resource management, as they can help to regulate water flow, prevent soil erosion, and maintain water quality. 4. Climate regulation: Rangelands can help to regulate the climate by sequestering carbon in soils and vegetation. 5. Cultural and recreational value: Rangelands have cultural and recreational value, providing opportunities for outdoor recreation and supporting traditional livelihoods. 6. Vulnerability to degradation: Rangelands are vulnerable to degradation through overgrazing, invasive species, and climate change, which can have negative impacts on biodiversity, water resources, and livelihoods.