Microelement contents of two Panicum maximum varieties as influenced by manure type and season

Abstract

A study was carried out to determine the influence of variety, manure type and season on the micro mineral content of two P. maximum varieties. The trial included: two Panicum varieties (Local and Ntchisi), three manure types (cattle dung, swine dung and poultry droppings) plus control (No manure) and two seasons (rainy and dry). Samples were harvested from each plot to estimate dry matter yield (DMY), crude protein, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre and microelements (Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn). The DMY of Ntchisi variety was higher (P<0.01) than that of the Local variety. Grasses fertilized with swine manure had the best (P<0.001) DMY while yield was better in the rainy season compared with dry season. There was season difference in the mineral contents except (P>0.05) for Fe. Manure differences were only noticed in the Zn and Mn contents of the grasses. Despite these differences, the grasses contained adequate amount of microelements required by ruminants, with the exception of Cu content in the dry season. In production systems where the two Panicum varieties constitute the major diets of grazing animals, it would be necessary to offer supplementary Cu in the dry season.