Impact of Cattle Grazing and Fallow systems on Maize Grain Yield, Soil Chemical Properties and Daily Weight Gain in the derived savanna zone of Nigeria

Abstract

The effects of two alternative land use systems (system 1: natural fallow with and without grazing and system 2: improved fallow with and without grazing) on grain yields; soil chemical composition, fodder yield and animal weight change were compared during 1993 through 1999 planting seasons in the derived savanna zone of Nigeria. The experimental design was a split plot with three replications. Main plots were improved and natural fallow. The sub plots consisted of grazing with cattle (CG) and no grazing (NG). Lablab pupureus was relayed cropped with maize in the improved fallow, but the natural fallow plots were not relayed- cropped with lablab. Cattle grazed the designated plots after maize grain harvest at a stocking rate of 350 AU /ha. Data on annual grain yields, forag production, and soil chemical composition and animal weight change were recorded for the two main fallow and grazing subsystems over a period of six years.
Results showed that cattle grazing natural fallow increased grain yield by 23% while grazing improved fallow increased grain yield by 21%. Grazing reduced soil organic carbon - OC (7- 18%) and increased available P (5- 26%) status in both fallow systems. Total N status of soil in grazed plots was 3% higher than ungrazed plots in the improved fallow while in the improved fallow system grazing increased soil N by 13% and K by 4%. Available forage before grazing in the improved fallow system was higher than the natural fallow by 31%. Average daily weight gain of cattle grazingIncrease total land productivity in smallholder mixed crop-livestock systems through increased crop and livestock outputs and enhanced soil productivity.