Diversity of Domestic Grasses for Sheep Browse in the Coastal District Gebang, Cirebon Residence

Abstract

In general, sheep browse in Indonesia comes from the availability of domestic grasses (Family Poaceae and Cyperaceae), just an effort to make agronomic im- provements is still very limited. Therefore we need basic research on domestic for- age to determine its potential as a forage cultivation. The purpose of this study is to identify potential sources of herbaceous species forage of sheep. Research carried out by the method of survey, observation, collection of plants by way of example, shooting, maintenance ex-situ, making herbarium and species identification. In total there are 39 types of forage from the Family Acanthaceae, Cyperaceae, Legumino- sae, Liliaceae and Poaceae. Types grasses are found, divided into three belts: Belt-1 (0-1 km from coast) consisting of: 8 of the Family Poaceae species and 9 species of Cyperaceae Family. The dominant species of livestock are available for Xerochloa Cheribon (Steud.) Ohwi and Chloris barbata Swartz. Belt-2 (1-2 km) consisting of 13 species of the Family Poaceae and 4 species of Cyperaceae Family. The domi- nant species of livestock are available for Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers., Paspalum conjugatum Berg. and Cyperus scariosas R. Br. Belt-3 (2-3 km) consists of: 12 spe- cies of the Family Poaceae and two species of Cyperaceae Family. The dominant species of livestock are available for Paspalum conjugatum Berg., Cynodon dacty- lon (L.) Pers. and Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn. Getting away from the beach Family Poaceae is dominant as the compared to the potential forage Cyperaceae Family. Based on field observations and statements of farmers, sheep prefer grasses of the Poaceae Family.