Dry Matter Yield and Chemical Composition of Grass – Legume Mixtures as Influenced by Sowing Date
Abstract
The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of sowing date of grass on dry matter yield and chemical composition of three grass-legume mixtures (Sorghum almum- stylosanthese hamata, Sorghum almum-Centrosema pascourum and Sorghum almum-Centrosema pubescens). The study was carried out at the Livestock Research Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture Bayero Univesity Kano, Nigeria. Seeds of mixtures obtained from National Animal Production Research Institute Shika, Zaria were sown in 2×3 m2 plots in an alternate arrangement replicated in four blocks. Distances between plots and blocks were 0.5 m ×1 m, respectively. The treatments consisted of four sowing dates of grass in mixture with legumes (0, 1, 2 and 3 weeks after sowing of legumes) and three grass-legume mixtures factorially combined as 4×3 factorial in a randomized complete block design. The results indicated that cumulative total dry matter yield values were significantly greater (P<0.05 in Sorghum almum-Centrosema pascourum and Sorghum almum-Centrosema pubescens compared to Sorghum almum-stylosanthese hamata. Sorghum almum-Centrosema pascourum and Sorghum almum-Centrosema pubescens had similar crude protein values which were higher (P<0.05) than that of Sorghum almum- stylosanthese hamata. Similarly, neutral detergent fiber decreased with delayed sowing date of the grass in mixture. It can be concluded that Sorghum almum-Centrosema pascourum and Sorghum almumCentrosema pubescens produced higher dry matter yields and proved better in quality indices. Hence, Sorghum almum-Centrosema pascourum is recommended for higher yield and percentage of legume in mixture which is indicative of legume survival. Furthermore, sowing of grass 3 weeks after legumes in mixtures improved quality parameter and reduced fiber fractions (NDF and ADF) significantly. In the light of this, dates of sowing of grass and legume in mixtures should be staggered with the legume sown ahead of the grass.
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