Abstract:
The study was conducted in Meta Robi district, west Shoa zone of Oromia Regional State with the
objectives to assess the sheep grazing lands vegetation dynamics as feed resources in sheep
dominated areas and to improve grasslands through improvement methods. The sheep vegetation
preferences was studied using check list and group discussion. The land use land cover of the study
area was studied using 1986, 2000 and 2013 year’s satellite images. Vegetation assessment was
conducted in 270 quadrat 90 from each three altitudes having 10mx10m (for trees layer), 5mx5m
(for shrubs layer) and1mx1m (for herbs layer) quadrant size. A reconnaissance survey was
conducted to identify and select the degraded grassland. The treatments were chemical fertilizer,
cattle manure, wood ash (k2co3), lime (Caco3) and control. The plot sizes was 4m x 4m with three
replication arranged in RCBD design. The space between plots and replications were 1m and 2m
respectively. Composite soil samples were collected and analyzed. Pre- experiment. Then after
harvest DM yield was determined by (ILCA, 1990).Chemical composition of the feed samples were
determined by (AOAC, 1990). Additionally fifteen soil samples from each plot and three composite
soil samples from three altitudinal gradient were collected and analyzed. The soil lab analysis
results before the experiment indicated that the soil was salt free, slightly acidic pH (5.9), greater in
CEC (20.37), low in available P (1.6) the organic carbon and total nitrogen were rich (0.98 and
0.081), higher in exchangeable Ca (0.98) and Mg, Na and K were (3.6 0.46 and 12) respectively.
Highest botanical composition of grass was recorded with chemical fertilizer (59%), and highest
legume components was recorded with wood ash application (57.9%). The highest total dry matter
recorded with chemical fertilizer application (4.5 ton ha-1). The DM and total ash of the feed
composition were affected (P<0.05) while, CP, ADF, ADL and IVDMD were affected (P<0.001).
Wood ash was recommended as grasslands liming material for farmers.
Key words: Assessment, Botanical composition, Cattle manure, Chemical fertilizer, Total dry
matter, Lime, Meta Robi and Wood ash.
