Theme 2-2: Forage Production and Utilization--Poster Sessions

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An experiment was conducted in Jos, Nigeria to evaluate the effects of stages of growth on dry matter yield and nutrient composition of Red clover (Trifolium pratense var. AberClaret) in the year of establishment. The treatments were five (5) stages of growth (5, 9, 13, 17 and 21) weeks after sowing (WAS). The five stages of growth were replicated five times in a Latin Square Design. The land was divided into twenty five plots of 3 m X 3 m each. The spacing between each plot was 1m along the rows and columns. Growth components and DM yield were measured at the various stages of growth. The forage crop was also analysed for nutrients composition. Theere was no significant difference in plant height at 17 WAS (63.75 cm) and 21 WAS (64.25 cm). However, the two stages were higher (P< 0.01) compared to the other stages of growth. Leaf-to-stem ratio decreased significantly from 5WAS (1.16) to 21WAS (0.26). Forage DM yield was higher (P< 0.01) at 17 WAS (3.15 t ha-1) compared to the other stages of growth. Crude protein content at 9 WAS (20.88 %) was higher (P< 0.01) compared to the other stages, while 21 WAS had the lowest value of 18.11 %. Crude protein (CP) content at 9WAS (208.8 g/kg) was higher (P< 0.01) compared with the other stages as 21 WAS had the lowest value of 181.1 g/kg. Crude protein content decreased from 9 to 21 WAS, while the fibre fractions increased from 9 to 21WAS. Therefore, it is recommended that the legume planted in early June on the Jos Plateau, Nigeria could be harvested at 17 WAS when the DMY is maximum and CP content is also very high to meet the requirements for ruminant animals in the tropics.

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Effects of Stages of Growth on Dry Matter Yield and Nutrient Composition of Red Clover in the Year of Establishment in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria

An experiment was conducted in Jos, Nigeria to evaluate the effects of stages of growth on dry matter yield and nutrient composition of Red clover (Trifolium pratense var. AberClaret) in the year of establishment. The treatments were five (5) stages of growth (5, 9, 13, 17 and 21) weeks after sowing (WAS). The five stages of growth were replicated five times in a Latin Square Design. The land was divided into twenty five plots of 3 m X 3 m each. The spacing between each plot was 1m along the rows and columns. Growth components and DM yield were measured at the various stages of growth. The forage crop was also analysed for nutrients composition. Theere was no significant difference in plant height at 17 WAS (63.75 cm) and 21 WAS (64.25 cm). However, the two stages were higher (P< 0.01) compared to the other stages of growth. Leaf-to-stem ratio decreased significantly from 5WAS (1.16) to 21WAS (0.26). Forage DM yield was higher (P< 0.01) at 17 WAS (3.15 t ha-1) compared to the other stages of growth. Crude protein content at 9 WAS (20.88 %) was higher (P< 0.01) compared to the other stages, while 21 WAS had the lowest value of 18.11 %. Crude protein (CP) content at 9WAS (208.8 g/kg) was higher (P< 0.01) compared with the other stages as 21 WAS had the lowest value of 181.1 g/kg. Crude protein content decreased from 9 to 21 WAS, while the fibre fractions increased from 9 to 21WAS. Therefore, it is recommended that the legume planted in early June on the Jos Plateau, Nigeria could be harvested at 17 WAS when the DMY is maximum and CP content is also very high to meet the requirements for ruminant animals in the tropics.