Vol. 2 (6) : November-December 2011 issue
Green Farming Vol. 2 (6) : 649-653 (November-December, 2011) (New Series)
Influence of interval of cutting on dry matter yield of four forage legumes and four forage grasses in Nsukka, Nigeria
C.C. ONYEONAGU* and J.E. ASIEGBU
Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Nigeria, Nsukka
Subject : Crop Science
Paper No. :
Total Pages : 5
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Revised accepted :
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Citation :
C.C. ONYEONAGU and J.E. ASIEGBU. 2011. Influence of interval of cutting on dry matter yield of four forage legumes and four forage grasses in Nsukka, Nigeria. Green Farming Vol. 2 (6) : 649-653 (November-December, 2011) (New Series)
ABSTRACT
The effect of harvest intervals on dry matter production of 4 legumes (Lablab purpureus, Stylosanthes hamata cv. Verano, Centrosema pascuorum and Stylosanthes guyanensis cv. Cook) and 4 grasses (Sorghum almum, Panicum maximum, Chloris gayana and Andropogon gayanus) were evaluated in 2006 and 2007 in Nsukka, derived savannah, Nigeria. Harvest interval had no significant effect on dry matter yield of legumes in both years. Stylosanthes hamata out-yielded (P < 0.05) Lablab purpureus in 2006 but had similar yield value with Centrosema pascuorum and Stylosanthes guyanensis. Stylosanthes guyanensis significantly out-yielded the other legumes in 2007. Stylosanthes guyanensis had the highest (P < 0.05) dry matter yield in 2007 and in all the harvest periods of 2007 when the 8-week interval between cuts was applied. There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) in dry matter production among the grass species in both years with Chloris gayana greater than Sorghum almum but similar with Panicum maximum and Andropogon gayanus in 2006. Andropogon gayanus yielded more than Chloris gayana but had similar yield value with Sorghum almum and Panicum maximum in the second year.
Key words :
Dry matter production, interval between cuts, pasture species.
