Assessing graziers' perception about livestock production and ethnoveterinary plants of Cholistan rangelands, Pakistan

Abstract

This study was conducted to document the ethnoveterinary medicinal (EVM) practices for the treatment of different parasitic diseases of livestock in the Cholistan desert, Pakistan. Information was gathered on a total of 111 plant species and 40 families, of which 51 species were utilized to treat cattle disorders, according to the researchers. Cholistan rangeland has been documented to have a variety of cattle ailments, including diarrhea, Anthelmintic, skin disorders, digestive difficulties, sores, constipation, and rheumatism. A total of 51 plant species spanning 30 families were identified as potentially effective in the treatment of parasitic disorders. The plants included: Aerva javanica, Achyranthes aspera, Amranthus tricular, Barleria prionites, Butea monosperma, Calotropis procera, Cassia senna, Citrullus colocynthis, Commiphora wightii, Calligonium polygonoides, Cyperus rotundus, Heliotropium europium, Prosopis glandulosa, Prosopis cineraria, Salvadora oleiodes, Sarcostemna viminale, Tribulus terrestris, Tamarix aphylla, Withania coagulans and Ziziphus mauritiana. Whole plants (17%), seeds (17%), root pieces (13%), and fruits (9 %) were the most often reported plant parts utilized in the illness of animals. It was discovered that 51 species have palatability to varying degrees, whereas just three species were determined to be non-palatable, according to the palatability categorization. Livestock fed on the leaves of 33 species, the shoots of 35 species, the flowers of 13 species and the fruit of 02 species found among palatable species. Out of 51 species, cattle prefer 16 different plant species, goats prefer 26 species, sheep prefer 32 species, camels prefer 35 species and donkeys prefer to feed on 33 species. The local herders had a wealth of traditional knowledge about plant remedies that they used to heal their animals; nevertheless, agricultural growth was the most significant danger to medicinal plants in the research region. As a result, raising public awareness about the need for plant conservation and documentation should be undertaken.