Comparative performance of fertilizer types on growth, yield of Panicum maximum var. Ntchisi (JAC) and Andropogon tectorum during early rainy season in Abeokuta South West, Nigeria

An experiment was conducted to examine comparative performance of fertilizer types on growth and yield of Panicum maximum and Andropogon tectorum during the early rainy season in Abeokuta. It consists of three factors namely: 4 fertilizer types, 2 grass species and 2 age at harvest allotted to main plots, sub plots and sub-sub-plots respectively. It is therefore factorial experimental arrangement (4 x 2 x 2) laid out in a split-split-plot design with three replicates having a total number of sixteen (16) treatments. The fertilizer types were N.P. K. 20:10:10 (NPK), Aleshinloye organo-mineral (AOM) and poultry manure (PM) and a control. These were applied at the rate of 120 kgN/ha based on their nitrogen content. The grasses were Panicum maximum (Ntchisi) and Andropogon tectorum which, were harvested at 6 and 8 weeks after cut back (i.e. 6 WAC and 8WAC) for determination of dry matter yield. Growth parameters such as leaf length (LL), leaf width (LW), number of tillers (TN) and number of leaves (LN) were estimated from 2 to 6 weeks after cut back in the early rainy season following the year of establishment. The results show that fertilizer types did not significantly affect (P>0.05) the LL and LW of A. tectorum and P. maximum. There were significant differences (P<0.05) among the mean values of LL and LW due to effect of grass species. Similarly, the mean values obtained for TN and LN were not different (P>0.05) under the influence of fertilizer types, but TN and LN were (P<0.05) affected by grass species. There were no significant differences among the mean values of LW but the mean values of LL were different (P<0.05) as a result of interaction effects of fertilizer types and grass species. The mean values of TN and LN were different (P<0.05), though not in a specific trend. However, the mean values of LN were (P>0.05) differed at 4 and 6 WAC.The fertilizer types and grass species did not influence (P>0.05)the mean values of dry matter yield (DMY), forage proportion (FP) and weed proportion (WP). The mean values presented in the result indicated that age at harvest affected (P<0.05) DMY, FP and WP. The highest DMY and FP (29.89 t/ha and 99.82 %, respectively) were observed at 8 weeks. The highest WP (0.89%) was recorded at 6 weeks. It could be concluded that when moisture content is inadequate, fertilizer application may not elicit any significant influence on the growth and biomass production of forage plants.Keynote: Comparative performance, fertilizer types, early rainy season, Panicum maximum, Andropogon tectoru

Assessment of some macromineral concentration of a grass/ legume sward in relation to livestock requirements

The assessment of macromineral concentration of Panicum/Stylosanthes mixtures was carried out at the Cattle Production Venture, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, in Southwest Nigeria. The study aimed to determine the concentration of some macromineral elements in the grass/legume pasture grazed by the animals with the view of recommending an application of relevant fertilizers. The experiment was laid out as a split-plot design with two spatial distribution of biomass (dense and sparse) assigned to the main plot and three cut back heights (10, 15 and 20 cm above ground) allotted to the subplot. Main plots measured 15 x 5 m while sub-plots were 5 x 5 m. Samples of Panicum maximum (Ntchisi) and Stylosanthes guianensis were clipped and analyzed to determine the concentration of P, K, Ca, and Mg. Results showed that both forage types had sufficient levels of P, K, Ca and Mg to meet the requirements of ruminants. Calcium (9.10 g kg -1) and P (3.75 g kg -1) contents of P. maximum were (p<0.05) higher for the dense biomass cut back to 15 cm height. Stylosanthes guianensis in the dense biomass cut to 15 cm recorded higher value for Ca than other treatments. Magnesium concentration was higher for P. maximum in the dense biomass (6.68 g kg -1) cut to 10 cm and the same pasture type cut to 15 cm height above ground recorded (P<0.05) higher value (5.41 g kg -1) for S. guianensis. Cutting of forages with the aim of promoting the regrowth of young shoots appears to favour sufficient accumulation of minerals in both forage types. Since only a portion of the total forage available in a sward is useful to grazing animals based on sward characteristics (e.g spatial distribution), herbage with higher quality is preferred by ruminants. It can be concluded that dense pastures are highly nutritive and cut back to 10 cm above ground could potentially produce regrowth herbage with sufficient macrominerals which relegate the need for mineral supplementation in grazing animals and fertilizer application to the pasture sward.Keywords: Spatial distribution, Panicum maximum, Stylosanthes guianensis, cut back, grazing  Évaluation de certaines teneurs en macromineraux d’un tapis d’herbes / graminees en fonction des besoins des animauxL’évaluation de la teneur en macrominéraux des mélanges de Panicum / Stylosanthes a été réalisée à la Cattle Production Venture de l’Université  Fédérale d’Agriculture d’Abeokuta, dans le sud-ouest du Nigeria. L’étude avait pour objectif de déterminer la concentration de certains éléments  macrominéraux dans les pâturages d’herbes / graminées fréquentés par les animaux en vue de recommander l’application d’engrais appropriés.  L’expérience a été présentée selon un dispositif à parcelles divisées avec deux distributions spatiales de biomasse (dense et éparse) assignées à la parcelle principale et trois aires à hauteurs d’herbes réduites (10, 15 et 20 cm au-dessus du sol) attribuées à la sous-parcelle. Les parcelles principales mesuraient 15 x 5 m tandis que les sous-parcelles mesuraient 5 x 5 m. Des échantillons de  Panicum maximum (Ntchisi) et de Stylosanthes hamata cv (Verano) ont été  coupés et analysés pour déterminer la teneur en P, K, Ca et Mg. Les résultats ont montré que les deux types de fourrage avaient des teneurs assez suffisantes en P, K, Ca et Mg pour répondre aux besoins des ruminants. Les teneurs en Calcium (9,10 g kg -1) et en P (3,75 g kg -1) de P. maximum étaient plus élevées (p  <0,05) pour la biomasse dense ramenée à 15 cm de hauteur. Stylosanthes hamata dans la biomasse dense coupée à 15 cm a enregistré une valeur plus élevée pour le Ca par rapport aux autres traitements. La concentration de  magnésium était plus élevée pour P. maximum dans la biomasse dense (6,68 g kg -1) coupée à 10 cm et le même type de pâturage coupé à 15 cm de hauteur au-dessus du sol a enregistré (P <0,05) une valeur plus élevée (5,41 g kg -1) pour S. hamata. Le fait de couper les fourrages dans le but de favoriser les repousses semble favoriser une accumulation suffisante de minéraux dans les deux types de fourrage. Puisque seule une partie du fourrage total disponible dans une couche végétale est utile aux animaux de pâturage en fonction des caractéristiques de la végétation (par exemple, la distribution spatiale), les ruminants préfèrent les herbages de meilleure qualité. On peut en conclure que les pâturages denses sont très nutritifs et qu’une coupure de 10 cm au-dessus du sol pourrait produire des repousses ayant suffisamment de macrominéraux, ce qui relègue le besoin de supplémentation minérale chez les animaux de pâturage et d’application d’engrais aux pâturages herbeux.Mots-clés : répartition spatiale, Panicum maximum, Stylosanthes hamata,  réduction de hauteur, pâturag

Effect of storage place and storage period on nutritive quality of hay produced from three forage grasses

A study was conducted to investigate the effect of storage place and storage period on the proximate composition, in vitro gas production and post incubation parameters of hay produced from A. gayanus, B. decumbens and P. pedicellatum. The two storage places were in the room and in the shed while the storage periods were 4, 8 and 12 weeks. Results of this study showed that the dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), crude fibre (CF) and ash of the hays produced from the three grasses were significantly affected (P<0.05) by the interactive effect of the storage place, storage period and species. Brachiariadecumbens produced higher (P<0.05) DM (99.50%) in the shed at 4 weeks of storage (WS) and a lower DM (86.20%) in the room at 12 WS. Ether extract of Andropogongayanus and B. decumbens significantly (P<0.05) differed at both storage places and at the three storage periods. Brachiariadecumbens produced higher (P<0.05) (14.50%) and lower (4.50%) EE contents in the room at 4 and 12 WS respectively. Similarly, ash contents of the hays significantly (p<0.05) ranged from 3.50% in the storage of B. decumbens in the shed for 12weeks to 36.33% for storing P. pedicellatum in the room for 4 WS. Cumulative in vitro gas production of the  grasses though similar (p>0.05) increased over the incubation periods. The post incubation parameters of the hays were all  similar (p>0.05), except the organic matter digestibility (OMD) values (p<0.05).It is concluded that the CP contents of the three grasses fell below ruminant requirement and slightly declined with increase in storage period, thereby suggesting earlier harvesting before the onset of dry season and serious  lignification. Andropogongayanus and B. decumbens proved to be better hays vis-avis storage in the shed, higher crude protein and dry matter contents while P.pedicellatum possessed better ash contents. Conclusively, it is more economical to store grass hays in the shed as there was no distinct difference in the results  obtained in the two storage places.Keywords: Grasses; Hay; Nutritive quality; Storage