Theme 2-2: Forage Production and Utilization--Poster Sessions
Description
A study aimed at characterising nutritive value of introduced Brachiaria grasses in Rwanda was conducted. Four Brachiaria grasses including, Brachiaria decumbens cv. Basilisk, Brachiaria brizantha cv. MG4, Brachiaria brizantha cv. Piata and Brachiaria cv. Cayman with Panicum coloratum as control were planted in two contrasting environments of low rainfall in Kirehe district and acidic soils in Nyamagabe district. The experiment was set in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications and the treatments were harvested after 60 days and 90 days. Data collected were dry matter (DM), crude proteins (CP), organic matter (OM), cellulose, neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and ash content. Also, in vitro gas production was used to estimate metabolisable energy (ME), organic matter digestibility (OMD) and kinetic parameters. The results showed that the DM, CP, NDF, ADF, OM, Cellulose and ash were significant difference (P< 0.05) among improved Brachiaria grasses and increased from 60 to 90 days of harvest except CP which declined with harvesting time. There was significant difference (P> 0.05) among Brachiaria grasses for ME and OMD. Quickly degradable fraction (A) and slowly degradable fraction (B) did differ significantly (P> 0.05) but rate of degradation (C) varied among species and with harvesting time. Time required producing half of the gas volume (T1/2) declined as grasses matured. All improved Brachiaria grasses had better nutritional attributes than Panicum coloratum. Grasses planted in the low rain-fall had high nutritive values compared to those planted in acid soil prone areas of Rwanda. Nevertheless, the results suggested that improved Brachiaria grass could be an alternative forage for dairy farmers in both contrasting environments.
Included in
Nutritional Characterisation of Introduced Improved Brachiaria Grasses in Rwanda
A study aimed at characterising nutritive value of introduced Brachiaria grasses in Rwanda was conducted. Four Brachiaria grasses including, Brachiaria decumbens cv. Basilisk, Brachiaria brizantha cv. MG4, Brachiaria brizantha cv. Piata and Brachiaria cv. Cayman with Panicum coloratum as control were planted in two contrasting environments of low rainfall in Kirehe district and acidic soils in Nyamagabe district. The experiment was set in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications and the treatments were harvested after 60 days and 90 days. Data collected were dry matter (DM), crude proteins (CP), organic matter (OM), cellulose, neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and ash content. Also, in vitro gas production was used to estimate metabolisable energy (ME), organic matter digestibility (OMD) and kinetic parameters. The results showed that the DM, CP, NDF, ADF, OM, Cellulose and ash were significant difference (P< 0.05) among improved Brachiaria grasses and increased from 60 to 90 days of harvest except CP which declined with harvesting time. There was significant difference (P> 0.05) among Brachiaria grasses for ME and OMD. Quickly degradable fraction (A) and slowly degradable fraction (B) did differ significantly (P> 0.05) but rate of degradation (C) varied among species and with harvesting time. Time required producing half of the gas volume (T1/2) declined as grasses matured. All improved Brachiaria grasses had better nutritional attributes than Panicum coloratum. Grasses planted in the low rain-fall had high nutritive values compared to those planted in acid soil prone areas of Rwanda. Nevertheless, the results suggested that improved Brachiaria grass could be an alternative forage for dairy farmers in both contrasting environments.
