Optimizing Pruning Management of Melochia umbellata for Drought-tolerant Ruminant Feed

Abstract

In semi-arid tropical regions, forage availability is the primary constraint to ruminant livestock production. Melochia umbellata, locally known as Busi, is a drought-tolerant indigenous shrubs in West Timor, Indonesia, with significant potential as supplementary feed during critical dry periods. However, scientific exploration on its agronomic management and nutritional dynamics remains limited despite of its potential. This study, for the first time, investigate the effect of pruning intervals on the biomass partitioning and nutritional profile of M. umbellata to understand effective management of the draught-tolerant plant for ruminant feeds. The experiment employed a randomized block design with three pruning interval treatments (8, 12 and 16 weeks) with four replications. The evaluated parameters included stem-to-leaf ratio, proximate composition, fiber fractions, and in vitro digestibility. Results demonstrated that extending the pruning interval did not significantly (P > 0.05) alter the stem-to-leaf ratio, dry matter, organic matter, ash, neutral detergent fiber, or acid detergent fiber content. Conversely, pruning interval exerted a significant influence on crude protein content (P < 0.05) and in vitro digestibility (P < 0.01), with shorter pruning interval (8 weeks) showed higher protein content. Furthermore, the stability of fiber fractions across maturity stages suggests that M. umbellata possesses a flexible harvest window suitable for dryland management, although protein its protein content declined at longer intervals (> 8 weeks). These findings support the integration of M. umbellata into silvo-pastoral systems as a resilient forage strategy for climate-vulnerable regions.

Keywords: climate-resistant forage, dryland, feed security

DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/16-1-04

Publication date: May 31^st 2026