EFFECTS OF STAGES OF GROWTH ON DRY MATTER YIELD AND NUTRIENT COMPOSITION OF STYLOSANTHES IN THE YEAR OF ESTABLISHMENT IN VOM, NIGERIA

Résumé

An experiment was conducted in Jos to evaluate the effects of stages of growth on dry matter yield and nutrient composition of Stylo (Stylosanthes guianensis cv. Cook) in the year of establishment. Five stages of growth (5, 9, 13, 17 and 21) weeks after sowing (WAS) were the treatments arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design replicated four times. The land was divided into twenty plots of 5m X 3m. The spacing between each block was 1m and 0.5m along the rows and columns, respectively. Growth components and DM yield were measured at the various stages of growth. There was no significant
difference in plant height at 17 (99.90cm) and 21 (101.90cm) WAS. However, the two stages were significantly (P>0.01) higher than the other stages of growth. Leaf to stem ratio was however, significantly higher at 5WAS (1.86) compared to the other stages of growth, while 21WAS had the least value of 0.27. Forage DM yield was higher (P<0.01) at 17 WAS (14.15 t ha-1) compared with the other stages of growth. Crude protein content at 9WAS (18.98%) was higher (P<0.01) than the other stages of growth,while 21 WAS had the lowest value of 114.37 %. Crude protein content decreased from 9 to 21 WAS, while the fibre
fractions increased from 9 to 21WAS. The legume grown in early June on Vom, Jos Plateau should be harvested at 17 WAS when the DM yield is maximum and crude protein content could also meet the requirements for ruminant animals.