Selectivity and Perceptiveness of Latex-Producing Plant Species as alternative forage for goats (Capra hircus) in Dong Community of Jos South, Jos, Plateau State

Abstract

This study was carried out to ascertain the selectivity and perceptiveness of latex-producing plants as forage for goats in Dong community, Jos South. Purposive random sampling method was used to determine sites for data collection along settlement patterns targeting sub-locations. Quadrate size of 100 by 50 m(5000 m²) was employed to determine plant species and goats were allowed to feed freely  on these plants,  5 persons were assigned to monitor the bites, harmonized and submit data at the end of each expedition. Five (5) sites were habituated, species abundance was analysed using descriptive statistics such as Frequencies and percentages. Latex-producing plant samples were 15 out of 86 plant species collected from the five locations representing 17.4%. Latex producing plants eaten by goats were Ficus thonningii, Ficus trichopoda, Ficus elastic, Ficus sycomorus, Cascabela thevetia, Vitellaria paradoxa, Euphorbia hirta, Mangefera indica, Mannihot escalenta, Carica papaya, Carrisa edulis, Taraxacum officinale, Ipomoea batata, Cnidoscolus aconitifolius and Moriga oleiofera. Five (5) of the plants are more palatable as seen in the number of bites. Goats were noted to be very selective in their feeding habit by smelling the leave before they bite, if the leaves were novel, the goat might not bite the second time, but if it is unpalatable, the goat moves to the next plant, plant like Euphorbia hirta does not taste good to goats as a result, they eat little of it when the goats come across such plant. Some of the latex producing plants were eaten in small quantity as medicine, such as Cnidoscolius aconitifolius and Taraxacum officinale. Latex –producing plants are alternative to other forages of non latex-producing plants.