Theme 2-1: Forage Production and Utilization--Oral Sessions

Description

Replacement of high quality (perennial forage) with low quality (annual forage) due to the effects of climate change has resulted into low milk production in Tanzania to 4.5L which is below the genetic potential of producing at least 15L of milk per cow per day. Though high yield fodder grasses such as Brachiaria have been recommended as climate smart fodder grass, little information has been documented in Tanzania particularly with respect to the growth performance of these grasses across different eco-climatic zones. The current study determine the performance and yield of three cultivars of Brachiaria (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Piata, Brachiaria brizantha cv. Xaraes and Brachiaria decumbens cv. Basilisk) in three different eco-climatic zones, namely Humid, Sub-humid and Semi-arid zones. The study used the Split-plots Design whereas eco-climatic zones were considered as the main factor and Brachiaria cultivars were treated as the minor factor. Data on growth attributes and biomass yield were subjected to two ways ANOVA using SAS (2014). Also, the Post Hoc tests were performed using the Least Square Difference (LSD) at 5% to separate mean values. The study revealed that the Sub-humid climate had significantly higher number of emerged seedlings and number of tiller per plants. Similarly, all three cultivars had significantly higher above ground biomass in sub-humid climate compared to both humid and semi-arid zone. Interestingly, B. decumbens cv. Basilisk was relatively shorter grass but scored the highest values for plant number and biomass. However, for valid recommendation on the best Brachiaria cultivars further studies on nutritive values and feeding trials are imperative.

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Growth Performance and Yield of Three Brachiaria Cultivars Subjected to Different Eco-Climatic Zones of Tanzania

Replacement of high quality (perennial forage) with low quality (annual forage) due to the effects of climate change has resulted into low milk production in Tanzania to 4.5L which is below the genetic potential of producing at least 15L of milk per cow per day. Though high yield fodder grasses such as Brachiaria have been recommended as climate smart fodder grass, little information has been documented in Tanzania particularly with respect to the growth performance of these grasses across different eco-climatic zones. The current study determine the performance and yield of three cultivars of Brachiaria (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Piata, Brachiaria brizantha cv. Xaraes and Brachiaria decumbens cv. Basilisk) in three different eco-climatic zones, namely Humid, Sub-humid and Semi-arid zones. The study used the Split-plots Design whereas eco-climatic zones were considered as the main factor and Brachiaria cultivars were treated as the minor factor. Data on growth attributes and biomass yield were subjected to two ways ANOVA using SAS (2014). Also, the Post Hoc tests were performed using the Least Square Difference (LSD) at 5% to separate mean values. The study revealed that the Sub-humid climate had significantly higher number of emerged seedlings and number of tiller per plants. Similarly, all three cultivars had significantly higher above ground biomass in sub-humid climate compared to both humid and semi-arid zone. Interestingly, B. decumbens cv. Basilisk was relatively shorter grass but scored the highest values for plant number and biomass. However, for valid recommendation on the best Brachiaria cultivars further studies on nutritive values and feeding trials are imperative.