Malizo Ntalo

Mr. Malizo Ntalo

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Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

5Years (2022-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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11 January 2022 in Sustainability
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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MNMalizo Ntalo
Malizo Ntalo
KRKhuliso Ravhuhali
Khuliso Ravhuhali
BMBethwell Moyo
Bethwell Moyo
OHOnke Hawu
Onke Hawu
NMNtokozo Happy Msiza
Ntokozo Happy Msiza
Among the possible impacts of plant invaders on South African biodiversity, water supplies, and rangeland production, Lantana camara is ranked the highest in terms of its environmental impact. Globally, L. camara is regarded as one of the most ecologically and economically destructive invasive alien plants. The spread of L. camara affects the environment and threatens livestock productivity due to its toxicity to animals (especial cattle and sheep) in most semi-arid areas of South Africa. Lantana camara is known to have high concentrations of nutrients that are beneficial to livestock, but most previous research has concentrated on its toxicity. To enrich our knowledge on its nutritive value, further research has to evaluate its dietary impact on the growth and health of different ruminant livestock species, particularly goats. This review evaluates L. camara as a potential browse species for goats in southern Africa, and its adverse effects on goats and other ruminant livestock are also presented. The review describes L. camara and its distribution globally, its poisonous effect to livestock, and potential use as an alternative forage to browsing animals such as goats, which have proved resistant to its harmful traits. The high crude protein content, low fibre and adequate macro-minerals for small ruminants makes L. camara a good ruminant protein supplement in semi-arid areas. In addition to other biological control strategies, the prospects of using goats as a biological management tool is discussed. The research will contribute to the understanding of the control measures of L. camara while improving the productivity of small stock, especially goats. This means that a balanced understanding of its nutritional value as a source of protein and its negative impact on the environment should be considered in developing mitigation strategies to arrest its spread. We, therefore, recommend the use of goats in the control of L. camara; however, further studies are needed to limit its toxic effects, and thus improve its value.

23 November 2022 in Scientific African
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
MNMalizo Ntalo
Malizo Ntalo
KRKhuliso Ravhuhali
Khuliso Ravhuhali
BMBethwell Moyo
Bethwell Moyo
RWRochen Wiltshire
Rochen Wiltshire
NSNkosomzi Sipango
Nkosomzi Sipango
NFNahom Fajji
Nahom Fajji