Weeds as a source of fodder in hot arid zone-A review

Abstract

Herbaceous weeds of forage importance are important to optimize livestock production as they have potential ability to grow under sub-normal rainfall. Among leguminous weeds, species of Indigofera are important for hot arid region. Some of the species like I. cordifolia show high seed yield on poor soils. In non-leguminous weeds the species of Corchorus, Euphorbia and Tribulus are important for high seed yield and soil seed bank in the grazing lands. Among grasses the two arid zone species viz., Dactyloctenium sindicum and Octhochloa compressa are important for nutritional point of view to small ruminants. One vital aspect of weeds utilization is their medicinal value for animal health, which requires attention to the research workers as medicinal forage. There is urgent need to collection and evaluation of potential weeds from range of habitats for adapted ecotypes. Some of these species possesses agronomic potential, thus there is need to work out the agronomic potential of promising weeds which could be used as multicut fodder crop in sole or as intercrop during less rainfall and drought.