Plant Morphoecological Traits, Grass-Weed Interactions and Water Use Efficiencies of Grasses Used for Restoration of African Rangelands

Degradation characterized by depleted vegetation cover is a serious environmental problem in African rangelands. It poses threat to millions of pastoralists and agropastoralists who depend on livestock as source livelihood. Consequently, there has been growing global interest consolidate efforts restore degraded ecosystems. For example, the UN decade Ecosystem Restoration initiative aims at uniting world behind common goal preventing, halting reversing degradation Grass reseeding using native perennial species identified one practical ecological strategies for restoring rangelands, enhancing forage production. Knowledge multifaceted performance rangeland grasses terms morphoecological traits, interaction with weeds water use efficiencies however largely limited often elusive. Perennial indigenous rangelands Cenchrus ciliaris L. (African foxtail grass), Enteropogon macrostachyus (Hochst. Ex A. Rich.) Monro ex Benth. (Bush rye grass) Eragrostis superba Peyr. (Maasai love were established an semi-arid under natural conditions fill this knowledge gap. Morphoecological plant traits: aboveground biomass (shoot, leaf stem) production, densities, basal cover, tiller densities height measured 9 months after establishment. Interaction between target grass (WUE) also determined. displayed significantly higher values indices commonly used estimate potential restoration. produced highest shoot efficiencies. This attributed its leafy fraction. Higher production E. demonstrate suitability productivity. suppressed weeds. linked aggressive allelopathic nature. In conclusion, three distinct traits. order achieve successful seed-based restoration grasses, careful selection maximize their unique traits recommended. Ultimately, process should match desired outcomes subsequent rangeland.