Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Forage Resources in Himalayan Region

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Nutritional Quality Management of Forages in the Himalayan Region

  • 214 Accesses

Abstract

The fundamental characteristic of any mountain agroecosystem in the world is extreme internal variability and complexity with localized micro-ecosystems and habitats for diverse flora and fauna. The Himalayan region is an important hot spot of biological diversity among other mountain systems of the world. Agriculture along with animal production system is a principal occupation and source of livelihood for more than 60% of population lives in the Himalayan region (Sharma et al. 1999). Natural grasslands and pastures are important ecological resources on which a huge population of livestock is directly dependent upon their feeding requirements. These natural resources also support a great diversity of flora such as trees and shrubs, range grasses, and legumes, which have great importance from the prospect of livestock feeding. Fodder trees and shrubs are another important forage resource for livestock in the Himalayan region. The importance of the fodder trees and shrubs could be understood from the fact that they provide green fodder to livestock when other resources of green fodder are not available.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Aganga AA, Tshwenyane S (2004) Potentials of guinea grass (Panicum maximum) as a forage crop in livestock production. Pak J Nutr 3:1–4

    Google Scholar 

  • Allen VG, Batello C, Berretta EJ, Hodgson J, Kothmann M, Li X, McIvor J, Milne J, Morris C, Peeters A, Sanderson M (2011) An international terminology for grazing lands and grazing animals. Grass Forage Sci 66:2–28

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Balaraman N (1981) Feeds and fodder resources for livestock in Sikkim. Research bill no. 13 ICAR, research complex for NEH region, Sikkim Centre, Gangtok

    Google Scholar 

  • Bandyopadhyay BB (2009) Evaluation of barnyard millet cultivars for fodder yield under single and double cut treatments at higher elevation of hills. Agric Sci Dig 29:66–68

    Google Scholar 

  • Baudry J, Bunce RGH, Burel F (2000) Hedgerows: an international perspective on their origin, function and management. J Environ Manage 60:7–22

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bhagmal, Singh KA, Roy A, Ahmed S, Malaviya D (2009) Forage crops and grasses. In: Handbook of agriculture. ICAR, New Delhi, pp 1353–1417

    Google Scholar 

  • Brink M, Jansen PCM (2006) Vigna aconitifolia (Jacq.) Maréchal. In: Brink M, Belay G (eds) PROTA (plant resources of tropical Africa/Ressources végétales de l’Afrique tropicale), Wageningen

    Google Scholar 

  • Chanthakhoun V, Wanapat M (2010) Effect of legume (Phaseolus calcaratus) hay supplementation on rumen cellulolytic bacterial populations in swamp buffaloes investigated by the real-time PCR technique. J Anim Vet Adv 9:1654–1659

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chanthakhoun V, Wanapat M, Wachirapakorn C, Wanapat S (2011) Effect of legume (Phaseolus calcaratus) hay supplementation on rumen micro-organisms, fermentation and nutrient digestibility in swamp buffalo. Livest Sci 140(1/3):17–23

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cook BG, Pengelly BC, Brown SD, Donnelly JL, Eagles DA, Franco MA, Hanson J, Mullen BF, Partridge IJ, Peters M, Schultze-Kraft R (2005) Trop forages. CSIRO, DPI&F (Qld), CIAT and ILRI, Brisbane

    Google Scholar 

  • Dabadghao PM, Shankarnarayan KA (1973) The grass cover of India. Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, p 714

    Google Scholar 

  • Dida MM, Devos KM (2006) Finger millet. In: Chittarajan K (ed) Genome mapping and molecular breeding in plants, vol 1. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, pp 333–344

    Google Scholar 

  • Faber-Langendoen D, Jose C (2010) World grasslands and biodiversity patterns. NatureServe, Arlington, VA, p 24

    Google Scholar 

  • FAO (2011) Grassland index: a searchable catalogue of grass and forage legumes. FAO, Rome

    Google Scholar 

  • Göhl (1982) Division de Production et Santé Animale. FAO, Rome

    Google Scholar 

  • Gupta A, Mahajan V, Kumar M, Gupta HS (2009) Biodiversity in the barnyard millet (Echinochloa frumentacea link, Poaceae) germplasmin India. Genet Resour Crop Evol 56:883–889

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harada H, Yoshimura Y, Sunaga Y, Hatanaka T (2000) Variations in nitrogen uptake and nitrate-nitrogen concentration among sorghum groups. Soil Sci Plant Nutr 46(1):97–104

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • House JI, Hall DO (2000) Tropical savannas and grasslands. In: Mooney H, Roy J, Saugier B (eds) Terrestrial global productivity: past, present, and future. Academic, San Diego, CA, pp 363–400

    Google Scholar 

  • IGFRI (2015) IGFRI Vision 2050. Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi

    Google Scholar 

  • Katoch R (2009) Tree fodder: an alternate source of quality fodder in Himachal Pradesh. Range Manag Agrofor 30:16–24

    Google Scholar 

  • Katoch R (2013) Nutritional potential of ricebean (Vigna umbellata): an underutilized legume. J Food Sci 78:8–16

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Katoch R, David B, Priya KN, Bandhari JC (2007a) Fodder yield and nutritional attributes of ricebean (Vigna umbellata). Range Manag Agrofor 28:260–262

    Google Scholar 

  • Katoch R, Sood S, Kumar N, Bandhari JC (2007b) Fodder production and nodulation efficiency of different rice bean genotypes. Forage Res 33:73–77

    Google Scholar 

  • Katoch R, Chand U, Bandana (2007c) Red clover: present status and future needs. Forage Res 33:1–8

    Google Scholar 

  • Katoch R, Singh SK, Tripathi A, Kumar N (2017) Effect of seasonal variation in biochemical composition of leaves of fodder trees prevalent in the mid-hill region of Himachal Pradesh. Range Manag Agrofor 38:234–240

    Google Scholar 

  • Kemp PD, Mackay AD, Matheson LA, Timmins ME (2001) The forage value of poplars and willows. Proc N Z Grassl Assoc 63:115–120

    Google Scholar 

  • Kour K, Sangwan PL, Khan I, Koul S, Sharma SN, Kitchlu S, Bani S (2011) Alcoholic extract of Cicer microphyllum augments Th1 immune response in normal and chronically stressed Swiss albino mice. J Pharm Pharmacol 63(2):267–277

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar A, Adhikari B, Rawat G (2016) Caragana versicolor Benth. (Fabaceae), a keystone species of high conservation concern in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region. Curr Sci 111:985–987

    Google Scholar 

  • Madibela OR, Modiakgotla E (2004) Chemical composition and in vitro dry matter digestibility of indigenous finger millet (Eleusine coracana) in Botswana. Livest Res Rural Dev 16(4):26

    Google Scholar 

  • Malaviya DR, Roy AK, Kaushal P (2015) Conservation of grassland plant genetic resources through people participation. In: Roy MM, Malaviya DR, Yadav VK, Singh T, Sah RP, Vijay D, Radhakrishna A (eds) The 23rd International Grassland Congress (Sustainable use of grassland resources for forage production, biodiversity and environmental protection) New Delhi, India 20–24 November 24, 2015. Range Management Society of India, Jhansi, pp 318–326

    Google Scholar 

  • McWilliam EL, Barry TN, López-Villalobos N (2005) Organic matter digestibility of poplar (Populus) and willow (Salix) forage trees and it’s in vitro prediction. J Sci Food Agric 85:1098–1104

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mohan VR, Janardhan K (1994) Chemical composition and nutritional evaluation of raw seeds of six rice bean varieties. J Indian Bot Soc 73:259–263

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Moore KM, Barry TN, Cameron PN, Lopez-Villalobos N, Cameron DJ (2003) Willow (Salix sp.) as a supplement for grazing cattle under drought conditions. Anim Feed Sci Technol 104:1–11

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nada Y, Sawamura H (1985) Seasonal productivity of tall fescue, Dallis grass and Bahia grass grown in pure pastures, and rotational grazing combining these pastures in Kyushu district. J Japan Soc Grassl Sci 30:428–433

    Google Scholar 

  • Nerlich K, Graeff-Hönninger S, Claupein W (2013) Agroforestry in Europe: a review of the disappearance of traditional systems and development of modern agroforestry practices, with emphasis on experiences in Germany. Agr Syst 87:475–492

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Papachristou TG, Papanastasis VP (1994) Forage value of Mediterranean deciduous woody fodder species and its implication to management of silvo-pastoral systems for goats. Agr Syst 27:269–282

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pathak PS, Dagar J (2016) Indian grasslands and their management. In: Grassland: a global resource perspective. IGFRI, Jhansi, pp 3–36

    Google Scholar 

  • Pitta DW, Barry TN, Lopez-Villalobos N, Kemp PD (2005) Effects on ewe reproduction of grazing willow fodder blocks during drought. Anim Feed Sci Technol 120:217–234

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Radotra S, Dev I, Ahmad A, Kannan A (2015) Pasture and forages in North Western Himalayan region: current status and future strategies. In: Proceedings of the status and future prospects of animal production system in Himalayan Region

    Google Scholar 

  • Rahmani A (2006) A note for the task force on deserts and grasslands of India. Submitted to Planning Commission, Government of India

    Google Scholar 

  • Ram J, Singh JS, Singh SP (1989) Plant biomass, species diversity and net primary production in central Himalayan high altitude grassland. J Ecol 77:456–468

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sampath SR (1986) Scope for using small millets as forage in India. In: Seetharam A, Riley KW, Harinarayana G (eds) Small millets in global agriculture. Proceedings of the 1st International small millets workshop Bangalore, India, October 29-November 2, 1986

    Google Scholar 

  • Santos EM, Zanine AM, Ferreira DJ, Oliveira JS, Penteado DSC, Pereira OG (2008) Activated inoculant improve Tanzania-grass (Panicum maximum) silage. Arch Zootec 57:35–42. (Eng. Abstr)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharma K, Sharma SD (2006) Chemical composition and in sacco degradibility of some fodder tree leaves, shrub leaves and herbaceous plants. Indian J Anim Sci 76:538–541

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sharma CM, Baduni NP, Nautiyal DP (1999) Socio-economic strategies for environmental conservation in rural Garhwal Himalaya. Ecol Environ Conserv 5:227–231

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh V, Naik DG (1987) Western Himalayas: environment, problems and development. In: Pangtey YPS, Joshi SC (eds) Animal draught power in the mid-altitude Himalayan villages. Gyanodaya Prakashan, Nainital

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh N, Sundriyal RC (2009) Fuelwood, fodder consumption and deficit pattern in central Himalayan village. Nat Sci 7:85–88

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh JS, Lauenroth WK, Milchunas DG (1983) Geography of grassland ecosystems. Prog Phys Geo 7:46–80

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Soromessa T (2011) Heteropogon contortus (L.) P. Beauv. Ex Roem. & Schult. Record from Protabase. In: Brink M, Achigan-Dako EG (eds) PROTA (plant resources of tropical Africa/Ressources végétales de l’Afrique tropicale), Wageningen, Netherlands

    Google Scholar 

  • Surber L, Abdel-Haleem H, Martin J, Hensleigh P, Cash D, Bowman J, Blake T (2011) Mapping quantitative trait loci controlling variation in forage quality traits in barley. Mol Breed 28(2):189–200

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Surhone LM, Tennoe MT, Henssonow SF (2010) Panicum antidotale. VDM Verlag Dr. Mueller AG & Co. Kg

    Google Scholar 

  • Surmen M, Yavuz T, Albayrak S, Cankaya N (2013) Forage yield and quality of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) lines in the black sea coastal area of Turkey. Turk J Field Crops 18:40–45

    Google Scholar 

  • Teitzel JK, Chen CP (1992) In: Mannetje LT, Jones RM (eds) Centrosema pubescens Benth. Record from Proseabase. PROSEA (Plant Resources of South-East Asia) Foundation, Bogor

    Google Scholar 

  • Tenikecier H, Ates E (2018) Chemical composition of six grass species (Poaceae sp.) from protected forest range in northern Bulgaria. Asian J Appl Sci 11:56. https://doi.org/10.3923/ajaps.2018.71.75

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thompson DJ, Stout DG (1997) Mixtures of Persian clover with Italian ryegrass or barley-Italian ryegrass for annual forage. Can J Plant Sci 77:579–585

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vanniarajan C, Anand G, Kanchana S, Arun Giridhari V, Renganathan VG (2018) A short duration high yielding culture—barnyard millet ACM 10145. Agric Sci Dig A Res J 8:123–126

    Google Scholar 

  • White R, Murray S, Rohweder M (2000) Grassland ecosystems. World Resources Institute, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilman D, Lian W, Qin HW, Ji YL (1999) Intake and digestibility of diets derived from stovers and straws compared with lucerne hay and sweet potato haulm. J Agric Sci 132(2):207–213

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang B, Yin Y, Xie J, Li Z, Yang G (2015) Legume-cereal intercropping improves forage yield, quality and degradability. PLoS One 10(12):e0144813. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0144813

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Genetics & Plant Breeding, CSKHPKV, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, India

    Rajan Katoch

Authors
  1. Rajan Katoch
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2022 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Katoch, R. (2022). Forage Resources in Himalayan Region. In: Nutritional Quality Management of Forages in the Himalayan Region. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-5437-4_3

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation