Theme 09: Forage Quality
Description
Forage yield and quality of millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] and tanzania grass (Panicum maximum Jacq. cv. Tanzania I) were evaluated when grown in mixture. The treatments evaluated were four seed mixture combinations, based on a standard sowing density of 8 kg.ha-1, of tanzania grass/millet (08/00; 05/03; 04/04 and 03/05 kg.ha-1) and three cutting frequencies (1 cutting – 100th day after sowing; 2 cuttings – 50th and 100th days after sowing and 3 cuttings – 40th, 70th and 100th days after sowing), in a randomized complete block design, with four replications, in a split-plot scheme. Sowing densities were allocated in the main plots (5.0 x 12.0 m, each) and cutting frequencies in the subplots (5.0 x 4.0 m, each). The yields of DM of millet combined with tanzania grass were higher than that for pure tanzania grass stand. The CP increased whereas NDF and ADF decreased for both millet and tanzania grass with increasing cutting frequency. There was a small decrease in CP content when millet was in association with tanzania grass. According to these results, it was concluded that it is feasible the establishment of tanzania grass pasture using millet as a companion crop.
Included in
Establishment of Tanzania Grass Pasture Using Millet as a Companion Crop
Forage yield and quality of millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] and tanzania grass (Panicum maximum Jacq. cv. Tanzania I) were evaluated when grown in mixture. The treatments evaluated were four seed mixture combinations, based on a standard sowing density of 8 kg.ha-1, of tanzania grass/millet (08/00; 05/03; 04/04 and 03/05 kg.ha-1) and three cutting frequencies (1 cutting – 100th day after sowing; 2 cuttings – 50th and 100th days after sowing and 3 cuttings – 40th, 70th and 100th days after sowing), in a randomized complete block design, with four replications, in a split-plot scheme. Sowing densities were allocated in the main plots (5.0 x 12.0 m, each) and cutting frequencies in the subplots (5.0 x 4.0 m, each). The yields of DM of millet combined with tanzania grass were higher than that for pure tanzania grass stand. The CP increased whereas NDF and ADF decreased for both millet and tanzania grass with increasing cutting frequency. There was a small decrease in CP content when millet was in association with tanzania grass. According to these results, it was concluded that it is feasible the establishment of tanzania grass pasture using millet as a companion crop.
