Publication Date
1985
Description
Defoliation studies were conducted over a period of 3 years on the same stands to determine the effects of 3 heights 5, 20 and 35cm and 3 intervals, 8, 12 and 14 weeks of cutting on leaf dry matter (DM) yield and nutritive value of Flemingia macrophylla (Flemingia) a potential fodder shrub. Both height and interval of cutting had significant effect on leaf DM yield. There was significant interaction between frequency and height of cutting. Leaf DM yield decreased with lowering of cutting height and increased through increasing interval between cuts. The 14-week cutting interval and 35cm cutting height treatment resulted in the highest DM yield. While cutting interval significantly affected percentage crude protein (% CP) content of leaves, cutting height did not. Increasing the interval between cuts from 12 to 14 weeks decreased CP content. As % CP content of leaf DM was between 18.3 and 14.5%, this s,hrub may be used in supplementing dry season grazing. This will go a long way in solving the dry season shortage of feed problem. Further agronomic and feeding studies should however, be conducted before recommending cultivation of Flemingia on a wide scale.
Citation
Asare, E O., "Effects of Frequency and Height of Defoliation on Forage Yield and Crude Protein Content of Flemingia macrophylla (Flemingia)" (2025). IGC Proceedings (1989-2023). 25.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1989/session14/25
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Effects of Frequency and Height of Defoliation on Forage Yield and Crude Protein Content of Flemingia macrophylla (Flemingia)
Defoliation studies were conducted over a period of 3 years on the same stands to determine the effects of 3 heights 5, 20 and 35cm and 3 intervals, 8, 12 and 14 weeks of cutting on leaf dry matter (DM) yield and nutritive value of Flemingia macrophylla (Flemingia) a potential fodder shrub. Both height and interval of cutting had significant effect on leaf DM yield. There was significant interaction between frequency and height of cutting. Leaf DM yield decreased with lowering of cutting height and increased through increasing interval between cuts. The 14-week cutting interval and 35cm cutting height treatment resulted in the highest DM yield. While cutting interval significantly affected percentage crude protein (% CP) content of leaves, cutting height did not. Increasing the interval between cuts from 12 to 14 weeks decreased CP content. As % CP content of leaf DM was between 18.3 and 14.5%, this s,hrub may be used in supplementing dry season grazing. This will go a long way in solving the dry season shortage of feed problem. Further agronomic and feeding studies should however, be conducted before recommending cultivation of Flemingia on a wide scale.
