Growth indices, dry matter yield and nutritive value of <i>Centrosema pascuorum</i> at four different cutting regimes in humid tropics

Abstract

A study was conducted on growth indices, dry matter yield (DMY) and nutritive value of Centrosema pascuorum at four different cutting regimes of growth i.e. 8, 10, 12 and 14 weeks after sowing (WAS). Experimental design was a complete randomized design with three replicates on 4m by 12m bed. Results showed significant (P<0.05) increase in the number of leaves (16.70 – 55.67), leaf length (7.63 – 11.34 cm), leaf width (1.00 – 1.68cm) and plant height (49.34 – 108.40cm) from 8 to 14 WAS. Higher significant (P<0.05) DMY was recorded in 12 WAS (7.47t/ha) and 14 WAS (7.80t/ha). There was a significant (P<0.05) difference in crude protein, crude fibre, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, non-fibre carbohydrate, ash, calcium and phosphorus. Significant (P<0.05) values were recorded for dry matter intake, dry matter digestibility and relative feed value across the cutting regimes. Significant difference (P<0.05) was also observed for the methane (CH4) gas production (18.00 – 21.33 ml) and methane reduction percentage (87.88 – 91.67%). Similar (P>0.05) contents were observed for 24 hours’ gas production, in vitro dry matter digestibility, in vitro organic matter digestibility, short chain fatty acid and metabolizable energy across the different cutting regimes. Conclusively, growth pattern and DMY of Centrosema pascuorum across the different cutting regimes 8 – 14 WAS consistently increased, coupled with nutritive parameters and post in vitro characteristics. Centrosema pascuorum could be best harvested at 12 and 14 WAS for its effective and efficient utilization for livestock production especially ruminants.

Key words: Centrosema-pascuorum; Cutting-regime; Dry-matter-yield; Growth-indices; Nutritive-value