HERBAGE YIELD AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITIONS OF FOUR FORAGES FOR RUMINANT ANIMALS

Abstract

In the tropics, natural grasslands which contribute the bulk of ruminant feeds are still characterized by low yield and poor quality forages during the dry season. Sown grasses intercropped with legumes produce better fodder compared to forages harvested from the wild. However, there is limited information on the management practices influencing yield and quality of certain species of grasses. Therefore, Brachiaria Mulato II, Chloris gayana, Brachiaria ruziziensis and Panicum maximum intercropped with Lablab purpureus were investigated. Biomass yield (BY, t/ha) of the grasses at 12 weeks after planting were recorded. Also, the Dry matter (DM, %), Crude protein (CP, %) and Neutral Detergent Fibre (NDF, %) of these grasses were determined using standard procedures. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Biomass yield of grasses ranged from 8.98±0.04t/ha in C. gayana to 19.49±0.14t/ha in P. maximum. The CP of C. gayana (10.30±0.79%) and B. ruziziensis (10.22±0.41%) were significantly (p>0.05) similar and higher (p<0.05) than others. The DM ranged from 33.66±4.04% (P. maximum) to 40.34±4.04% (B. ruziziensis) while the NDF of grasses were significantly (p>0.05) similar. It is concluded that the four types of grasses have the potential for good quality biomass production for feeding ruminants.