Sustainability Potential of Kikuyu Grass (Pennisetum clandestinum) in Livestock Farming of Peru’s Highland Regions

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

In order to improve the sustainability of highland livestock farming, the authors analyzed the productive sustainability of Pennisetum clandestinum in the Peruvian highlands through a series of experiments that tested several indicators of Pennisetum clandestinum production.

The workload of this study is fine, but there are many deficiencies in the writing. It is suggested to invite colleagues who are native English speakers  to revise the paper before submitting it for review.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

The language should be improved.

Author Response

Comments 1 [The workload of this study is fine, but there are many deficiencies in the writing. It is suggested to invite colleagues who are native English speakers  to revise the paper before submitting it for review]

Response 1 [Changes have been made to the entire manuscript by experts in the language and area of the study]

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Sustainability of Kikuyu grass (Pennisetum clandestinum) for the development of highland livestock farming in the northern macro-region of Peru

Keywords: Kikuyo, nutritive value, livestock sustainability, highlands, cypress, silvopastoral system.

There are key words in the title. These should only be in one of these places.

The abstract must have a maximum of 200 words. Please adjust.

In material and method, figure 3, identifications D and E are on the same plane. You must check this out!

The letters F and G cannot be seen at all. No contributions.

The conclusion looks more like a discussion. This shouldn't have any results.

It must conclude. Present solutions based on what was found.

This must be redone in a robust and direct way. Without showing results.

Author Response

Comments 1: [Keywords: Kikuyo, nutritive value, livestock sustainability, highlands, cypress, silvopastoral system.] ..[There are key words in the title. These should only be in one of these places.]

Response 1: [The suggested changes have been made, the keywords have been changed to: Grassland, nutritive value, livestock feed, high altitudes, acid soils, silvopastoral system.]

Comments 2: [The abstract must have a maximum of 200 words. Please adjust.]

Response 2: [Suggested changes have been made, the abstract has been changed to 200 words.]

Comments 3: [In material and method, figure 3, identifications D and E are on the same plane. You must check this out!]… [The letters F and G cannot be seen at all. No contributions.]

Response 3: [Suggested changes have been made, uninformative images have been removed.]

Comments 4: [The conclusion looks more like a discussion. This shouldn't have any results. It must conclude. Present solutions based on what was found. This must be redone in a robust and direct way. Without showing results.]

Response 4: [Suggested changes have been made, the conclusions were modified as suggested a: “Kikuyu grass is considered a viable forage for dairy cattle. This grass offers potential for a plant breeding programme to improve the nutritional composition of high-yielding cows. Its high yield and favourable chemical composition under highland conditions support its viability as a sustainable forage option. The observed results show that Kikuyu grass has considerable potential to improve livestock productivity due to its good biomass yield, high protein and mineral content, and good association with cypress fences. Kikuyu responds favourably to nitrogen fertilisation and organic matter; the best time to use it is after 45 days of grazing. Therefore, this study represents an essential step towards improving the agronomic management of Kikuyu under similar agro-climatic conditions”]

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Manuscript ID: sustainability-3286682

Type of manuscript: Article

Title: Sustainability of Kikuyu grass (Pennisetum clandestinum) for the development of highland livestock farming in the northern macro-region of Peru

Lines 51-52: „… being considered an excellent alternative to face and be a food base for different species of herbivorous animals..” – sentence is confusing, and difficult to understand, perhaps some words are missing?

Part 2.3. Conduct the experiment -  Maybe „the  Experimental setup” would be better? But it is Authors' choice.

The methodology was presented in details, the results were also properly presented, however there is lack of the proper discussion, instead there is (3.3. Diagnosis), which is very short and insufficient, this part of the text should be expanded.

The manuscript brings a lot of facts, and knowledge, yet still throughout the text the sentences are sometimes unclear.

In most cases, the cited literature is suitable to the topic, but additional studies would be necessary.

Also, please, check the Instructions for Authors for manuscript preparation, especially for the quotation of scientific literature.

Author Response

Comments 1:[Lines 51-52: „… being considered an excellent alternative to face and be a food base for different species of herbivorous animals..” – sentence is confusing, and difficult to understand, perhaps some words are missing?]

Response 1: [corrections have been made to the lines indicated, including improvements to the entire document.]

Comments 2:[Part 2.3. Conduct the experiment -  Maybe „the  Experimental setup” would be better? But it is Authors' choice.]

Response 2: [corrections have been made to the item indicated]

Comments 3: [The methodology was presented in details, the results were also properly presented, however there is lack of the proper discussion, instead there is (3.3. Diagnosis), which is very short and insufficient, this part of the text should be expanded.]

Response 3: [The discussion section was consolidated, as suggested by the reviewer.]

Comments 4:[The manuscript brings a lot of facts, and knowledge, yet still throughout the text the sentences are sometimes unclear.]

Response 4: [The wording of sentences has been improved throughout the document to improve the readability and comprehension of the manuscript.]

Comments 5: [In most cases, the cited literature is suitable to the topic, but additional studies would be necessary.] [Also, please, check the Instructions for Authors for manuscript preparation, especially for the quotation of scientific literature.]

Response 5: [The entire manuscript was reviewed to verify the relevance of the references, and those that are relevant and according to journal protocols were considered.]

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

none

Comments on the Quality of English Language

none

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

ok
Publish!