Biomass Yield and Nutritive Quality of \u3cem\u3ePanicum maximum\u3c/em\u3e in the Natural Pastures during the Dry Season in Abeokuta, Nigeria

Panicum maximum Jacq. is among the prominent grass species in the grazing lands of the South-western part of Nigeria. An understanding of cutting management to find out the best agronomic practices that will improve the yield and nutritive value of these grass species, especially in the dry season formed the focus of this research work. The objective of the research is therefore to evaluate the effects of cutting height and interval on the dry matter yield (DMY), digestibility and chemical composition of P. maximum in the natural pasture during the dry season

Effect of Fertilizer Level and Intercropping with Bambara Nut (\u3cem\u3eVigna subterranea\u3c/em\u3e) on the Growth and Herbage Yield of Maize

The low fertility status of most tropical soils has hindered maize production as maize has a strong exhausting effect on the soil. It has been generally observed that maize fails to produce good grain in plots without adequate nutrients (Adediran and Banjoko 2003). Legumes generally are able to fix nitrogen to the soil which the companion crop could benefit from, but usually the nitrogen fixed occurs in insufficient quantities for marginally nitrogen sensitive crops such as maize and hence the required use of fertilizers. Inorganic fertilizers exert strong influences on plant growth, development and yield (Stefano et al. 2004). The use of legumes in mixed cropping systems is one of the traditional soil-fertility maintenance strategies. Legume-cereal intercropping often increases the quantity and quality of residues, which could improve livestock production considerably in addition to benefits in soil fertility but may decrease the yield of the companion cereal crop (Nandi and Haque 1986). Although the beneficial effects of intercropping legumes have been demonstrated by intercropping cereals with a few legumes such as cowpea, lablab, soybean etc, the same cannot be said for all legumes. This study aims at investigating the effect of fertilizer levels and intercropping with bambara nut (Vigna subterranean L.Verdc) on the growth and yield of maize for use as forage

Response of Guinea Grass (\u3cem\u3ePanicum maximum\u3c/em\u3e Jacq) to Application of Cow Dung in South West Nigeria

The yield of forage species from the world\u27s grazing land is limited by poor soil and unproductive species (Jones & Wild, 1975; Cooke, 1982). The use of manure on pasture land not only represents a low cost disposal method but also a means of recycling nutrients for plant growth and counteracting the decreasing organic matter content in most agricultural soils. In agro-pastoral production systems, the interaction between crops and livestock is important. Manures are used mainly to complement inorganic fertiliser in the production of food crops. There is a dearth of information on the response of pasture grass to application of cow dung and so the response of two Panicum maximum ecotypes to cow dung was evaluate

Population of Fungi Associated with Seed Germination after Storage and Seed Treatment

Fungi growth occurs in seeds as a result of environmental conditions (high relative humidity, suitable temperature and high level of seed moisture content). But pathogen free healthy seeds are required for plant propagation. Microbial and insect attack affect seeds throughout the life cycle of the plant (Islam et al., 2009). Fungi are the most common microbes that affect seed germination and they can be both saprophytic and pathogenic. Hence, the aim of this experiment is to determine the cultural and morphological characteristics and population of fungi associated with the germination of some legume seeds after storage and scarification

Forage Yield and Nutritive Quality of Haulm from Dual-Purpose Cowpea (\u3ci\u3eVigna unguiculata\u3c/i\u3e L Walp) Cultivars for Dry Season Feeding in Nigeria

The availability of high quality forage especially during the dry season remains a major challenge to ruminant livestock production in Nigeria and many parts of West Africa. Due to the prevailing mismatch between livestock population and supply of feed resources in the arid and semi arid Nigeria, the humid forest zone represents a potential source for crop residues, especially during the dry season due to longer rainfall duration and suitable climate. This study was conducted to evaluate forage yield and nutritive quality of haulm from selected dual purpose cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) cultivars in the humid rain forest zone of Nigeria. The forage and pod yields of twenty cultivars were evaluated in two cropping seasons of 2012 and 2013, in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Subsequently, five dual-purpose cultivars were selected based on forage and pod yields from previous trial, for determination of chemical and fibre compositions. The results revealed significant (p \u3c 0.05) differences in pod and forage yields among the twenty cowpea cultivars, with mean yields ranging from 0-1.5 t ha-1 and 0.1-4.5 t ha-1 for pod and forage respectively. The results also showed significant (p \u3c 0.05) differences in crude protein, ether extract, and non-fibre carbohydrates (NFC) contents amongst the five selected cultivars. The selected cultivars are recommended as dual-purpose cowpea for the zone. The result reveal wide implications for commercial production, processing and packaging of cowpea and other related forage crops for sale in Northern Nigeria where demand for dry season feedstuff outstrips supply. In addition, availability of feedstuff during the dry season is capable of promoting sedentarization of nomadic pastoralists and the attendant conflict associated with that system of livestock management

Hay quality as influenced by fertilizer types, grass species and age at harvest during wet season in Abeokuta, sub-humid zone of Nigeria

This study was conducted to investigate effects of fertilizer types and age at harvest on quality of hay produced from Andropogon tectorum and Panicum maximum var Ntchisi during wet season in Abeokuta. The experiment was a spilt-spilt-plot design, consisting of three (3) fertilizer types [ N.P.K 20:10:10 (NPK), Poultry manure (PM) and Aleshinloye organo-mineral fertilizer (AOM)] and control assigned to main plots, grass species (P. maximum (Ntchisi) and A. tectorum) allotted to the sub-plots and age at harvest (6 weeks and 8 weeks) assigned to sub-sub plots. Hay from the grasses were cured under shed for a period of 4-6 weeks until desirable moisture content was achieved, sub-samples were taken for analyses. Hay from AOM fertilized grasses had the higher values (10.01 %, 65.58 % and 25.33 %) for crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and hemicellulose respectively. Non-Fibre Carbohydrate (NFC) obtained from grasses in the control treatment was highest (17.38 %). Poultry manure fertilized grasses hay had the higher EE content (7.88 %). Panicum maximum (Ntchisi) had higher values of CP (10.01 %) and Ash (9.46 %) than A. tectorum. Andropogon tectorum recorded higher NDF (64.42 %) and hemicellulose (25.17 %) than P. maximum (Ntchisi). NPK fertilized grasses produced the highest (p<0.05) volumes of CO2 and CH4 gas (16.13 ml) and (9.87 ml) respectively and the higher organic matter digestibility (31.19 %) compared with the control. Therefore, Panicum maximum hay quality was better while AOM improved CP and moderate fibre of hay

Number and Viability of Seeds Recovered From Faeces of Ruminant Animals

Ruminants play a significant role in the dissemination of plant seeds as a result of ingested seeds during grazing on pasture escaping digestion that are voided with the faeces and returned to the seed bank (Russi et al., 1992)