Evaluation of growth and nutritive value of Panicum maximum intercropped with Centrosema pascuorum and Clitoria ternatea.

  • T. O Muraina Oyo State College of Agriculture andTechnology.
  • J. A Olanite Federal University of Agriculture.
  • I. A Ewetola Federal University of Agriculture.
  • J. A Alalade Oyo State College of Agriculture andTechnology.
  • C. B Emiola Oyo State College of Agriculture andTechnology.
  • , I. A Adebisi Oyo State College of Agriculture andTechnology.
  • K.O Akanbi Oyo State College of Agriculture andTechnology
  • F. A Ojetunde Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology
  • R. A Olalekan Oyo State College of Agriculture andTechnology
  • S.O Mustapha Federal University of Agriculture.
Keywords: Pasture, nutritive value,, Panicum maximum,, Centrosema pascuorum,, Clitoria ternatea.

Abstract

An experiment was conducted at the Pasture Unit, Teaching and Research Farm of Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora, Nigeria to evaluate the agronomic performance, in vitro gas production and post-incubative parameters of Panicum maximum intercropped with Clitoria ternatea and Centrosema pascuorum. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three treatments and three replicates.the treatments include panicum maximum intercropped with clitoria ternatea(PCT),panicum maximum intercropped with centrosema pascuorum(PCP) and sole panicum  maximum(SP).samples and measurements of the plant height(PH),tiller number,leaf length,leaf number and leaf width were taken 3,6,9 and 12 weeks after planting(WAP).the PH values were significantly (p<0.05) different.sole panicum maxicum(SP)harvested at 12 WAP had highest(214.67cm) PH while the least value of 61.67cm was recorded in PCP at 6 WAP.the in vitrro gas production of p.maximum as affected by the interaction between legume species and age at harvest (WAP)which were significantly (p<0.05) different ranged from 0.00ml/200mgDM in PCP at 8WAP and at 3hrs of incubaton to 47.50ml/200mgDM in SP at 4WAP at the end of 48hrs incubation period.however,organic matter digestibility(OMD)ranged from 51.59% in SP at 4weeks to 31.65% in PCP at 8 WAP.intercrop of either of the two legumes (centrosema pascuorrum and clitoria ternatea) with panicum maximum improved and maintained the proximate composition,organic matter digestibility and metabolize energy compared to the sole grass.

 

Author Biographies

T. O Muraina, Oyo State College of Agriculture andTechnology.

Department of Animal Health and Production Technology

J. A Olanite, Federal University of Agriculture.

Department of Pasture and Range Management

I. A Ewetola, Federal University of Agriculture.

Department of Pasture and Range Management

J. A Alalade, Oyo State College of Agriculture andTechnology.

1

Department of Animal Health and Production Technology

C. B Emiola, Oyo State College of Agriculture andTechnology.

Department of Animal Health and Production Technology

, I. A Adebisi, Oyo State College of Agriculture andTechnology.

Department of Animal Health and Production Technology

K.O Akanbi, Oyo State College of Agriculture andTechnology

partment of Animal Health and Production Technology

F. A Ojetunde, Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology

Department of Animal Health and Production Technology

R. A Olalekan, Oyo State College of Agriculture andTechnology

Department of Animal Health and Production Technology

S.O Mustapha, Federal University of Agriculture.

2
Department of Pasture and Range Management

Published
2010-07-14
Issue
Vol 10 (2010): Vol. 10
Section
Articles