Risultati preliminari di prove di controllo di Alnus viridis mediante il pascolo caprino in: Zootecnia di Montagna, valorizzazione della agricoltura biologica e del territorio

Alnus viridis is usually browsed by goats. Since its high palatability and nutritive value are high goats browsing could be used an effective and economic tool for clearance of alpine pastures encroached by this shrub. In order to test the impact of goat browsing on Alnus viridis a trial was carried out during late august 2000in Camonica valley (Central Alps) by a site at 1610 m elevation, 18° inclination, SW exposure (46° 18’N, 10°31’E). A fenced area of about 2,000 m2 with an average shrubs coverage of 50% was utilised during a 10 days trials. 20 goats of Bionda dell’Adamello breed were maintained for 2-3 days within each of 4 plots. Goats removed 44% of the available mass (leaves, sprouts and fruits) and were able to ingest more than 1 kg DM/d/head. Other utilised species were: Festuca varia, Rubus idaeus, Senecio nemorensis, Anthirium filis mas but their contribution to the diet was quite low. In order to obtain a more efficient control of Alnus viridis it could be useful to browse the regrowth induced by a first early cycle of defoliation.