WATER MELONS (CITRULLUS-VULGARIS) AS THE MAIN SOURCE OF WATER FOR CATTLE IN CENTRAL TANZANIA

A survey was carried out in Berege village, a typical village in the s emi-arid area of central Tanzania, to investigate the cultivation meth ods, productivity, types, storage and uses of water melons (Citrullus vulgaris). Different varieties are grown for human consumption (Tikiti maji) and for livestock feeding (Mahikwi). Production of the livestoc k variety ranged from 1.6-5.1 tonnes/ha, equivalent to 1.5-4.8 tonnes of water. An experiment to investigate the potential of water melons ( Mahikwi) as an alternative to free drinking water for cattle during th e dry season in central Tanzania was carried out at the peak of the dr y season. Six growing Mpwapwa bulls (1.5 years old), in individual pen s, were fed a Cenchrus ciliaris-based diet supplemented with Acacia to rtilis pods (1.5 kg). Three animals received drinking water ad libitum and the remainder received fresh water melons ad libitum for 4 weeks. Intakes of free water (14.6 kg) and water from the water melons (18.4 kg) were not significantly different (P>0.05). Hay intakes of the 2 g roups were similar (3.6 vs 3.4 kg). It is concluded that water melons can be used as an alternative source of water for growing cattle for a t least one month during the dry season, with one hectare supplying en ough water for a growing bull for about 3-5 months. Further studies wi th lactating animals for longer periods are warranted.