Forage elemental concentrations and ratios of two groundnut (<i>Arachis hypogaea L</i>) varieties: effect of fertilizer type

Abstract

Forages are the main source of minerals needed for growth and maintenance of bone, osmotic balance, muscle and nerve function, body enzymes, hormones, body cells and general well being of animals. This study was carried out to evaluate effect of fertilizer type on the elemental concentrations and ratios of two groundnut fodders. The study was a 3 x 2 factorial experiment in a split-plot design with the fertilizer type (poultry droppings, NPK and the control) as the main plot and variety (SAMNUT 22 and Local) as the sub-plot which amounts to six treatments with three replicates. The Ca value has affected by fertilizer type ranged from 12.95 g/kg DM to 16.50 g/kg DM for the organicfertilized groundnut forage and the inorganic-fertilized, respectively. The two varieties that were inorganically-fertilized had the highest Ca contents. The phosphorus (2.65 g/kg DM) content of SAMNUT 22 variety was higher than that of the Local variety. A higher value of Fe was recorded for the Local variety, whereas the organic-fertilized forage had the highest Fe (229.46 mg/kg DM) content. The Ca:P ratio as influenced by varietal difference was significant with the Local variety having a higher ratio (8.09). The K:(Ca+Mg) ratio was affected by the fertilizer type, with the organic fertilized forage having a higher ratio. It can be concluded that the two varieties are a good source of calcium and could also help to combat grass tetany in cattle.