The Morphological, Crude Protein and In-Vitro Dry Matter Degradability Characterisation of Nine Native Grass Species for Veld Restoration in Semi-Arid Environment

The Morphological, Crude Protein and In-Vitro Dry Matter Degradability Characterisation of Nine Native Grass Species for Veld Restoration in Semi-Arid Environment

Pasture production is dependent on results from favourable conditions that allow for stimulation of tillers and absence thereof does not promote the development of tillers. The study sought to investigate the comparative characterisation of the morphology, crude protein and in-vitro dry matter degradability (DMD) of nine native grass species (Anthephora pubescens, Cenchrus ciliaris, Chloris gayana, Dactylis glomerata, Digitaria eriantha, Eragrostis curvula, Festuca arundinacea, Panicum maximum & Themeda triandra), subjected under controlled conditions. Plants were assessed for germination percentage, chlorophyll, number of leaves and tillers, crude protein and in-vitro dry matter degradability (DMD). Data on these parameters was analysed using one-way analysis of variance. Panicum maximum (log¹⁰ 0.82) and T. triandra (log¹⁰ 0.80) had higher (P < 0.05) average number of leaves. Eragrostis curvula had the highest (P < 0.05) chlorophyll content. Eragrostis curvula (61.57 g/kg DM) and D. glomerata (60.28 g/kg DM) grasses had higher (P < 0.05) crude protein content. Festuca arundinacea (481.35 g/kg DM) had the highest (P < 0.05) in vitro ruminal DMD36 values when compared to all other grasses. Festuca arundinacea (548.85 g/kg DM) had the highest (P < 0.05) in vitro ruminal DMD48 values when compared to all other grasses. Chloris gayana, D. glomerata, D. eriantha, E. curvula, F. arundinacea, P. maximum and T. triandra had the highest average ranking values above 4.5 for most parameters. Due to their outperforming traits these grasses serve as a dual purpose to the restoration of degraded rangelands.