Description
Two trials on herbage productivity and aspects of herbage quality were conducted on a number of indigenous and exotic forage shrubs and browse plants. The first trial involved 13 species and the second 4 species. The two studies were carried out concurrently in one year. In the first study, it was found that the species which combined high herbage yield and good quality feed attributes were Cajanus cajan, Calliandra calothrysus, Flemingia macrophylla, Gliricidia sepium and Leucaena leucocephala. These species produced more than 60g. leaf dry matter yield per metre-length in 6 months and more than 15% crude protein content. In the second study it was found that the two introduced species - (Leucaena leucocephala and Gliricidia sepium) showed higher growth rates than the two indigenous species (Baphia nitida and Griffonia simplicifolia) with which they were compared. However with regard to chemical composition they showed similar levels in ash, crude protein and calcium contents of herbage.
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Herbage Productivity and Quality of Common Forage Shrubs and Browse Plants Grown in Ghana
Two trials on herbage productivity and aspects of herbage quality were conducted on a number of indigenous and exotic forage shrubs and browse plants. The first trial involved 13 species and the second 4 species. The two studies were carried out concurrently in one year. In the first study, it was found that the species which combined high herbage yield and good quality feed attributes were Cajanus cajan, Calliandra calothrysus, Flemingia macrophylla, Gliricidia sepium and Leucaena leucocephala. These species produced more than 60g. leaf dry matter yield per metre-length in 6 months and more than 15% crude protein content. In the second study it was found that the two introduced species - (Leucaena leucocephala and Gliricidia sepium) showed higher growth rates than the two indigenous species (Baphia nitida and Griffonia simplicifolia) with which they were compared. However with regard to chemical composition they showed similar levels in ash, crude protein and calcium contents of herbage.
