Germination percentage and emergence potential of nine newly introduced temperate forage germplasms in Shika, Nigeria

Authors

  • Y. M. Ishiaku Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
  • M. R. Hassan Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
  • S. A. Abubakar Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
  • J. T. Amodu Ahmadu Bello University Zaria Nigeria
  • S. B. Abdu Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria., Nigeria
  • R. J. Tanko Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria., Nigeria
  • S. A. Ahmed Ahmadu Bello University Zaria Nigeria
  • A. G. Bala College of Agriculture and Animal Science Mando, ABU, Zaria
  • T. T Akpenseun University of Jos, Nigeria
  • A. M. Ogungbesan Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State
  • S. S. Bello Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria., Nigeria
  • A. Suleiman Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria., Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51791/njap.v44i5.1440

Keywords:

emergence, forages, germplasms, Nigeria, seeds, temperate

Abstract

A trial was conducted to investigate the germination percentage and emergence potential of nine imported temperate forage germplasms at the National Animal Production Research Institute, Shika, Nigeria. The seeds consisted of seven grasses namely; Beefsteak plant (Fructus perillae), Sweet elephant grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides), Wild foxtail millet (Setaria viridis), Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum), King grass (Pennisetum sinese), Chinese sorghum (Sweet sorghum) and Zea mexican schard (Purus frumentum) and two legumes namely; Chinese woad (Isatis tinctoria) and Chinese alfalfa (Medicago sativa). A laboratory germination test and pot emergence trial was carried out to ascertain their viability. The result of the experiment showed that Sweet elephant grass, napier grass and king grass recorded over 90 % germination and the least was 30 % in Chinese sorghum. Chinese alfalfa and wild foxtail millet had least germination percentage with 100 % Seed dormancy.Highest emergence rate, seedling length and seedling vigour indexwere observed in king grass than the other forage germplasms. The highest percentage emergence was obtained in king grass > sweet elephant grass > napier grass > Zea mexican schard > beefsteak plant > Chinese woad > Chinese sorghum, respectively. It was concluded that these forages can successfully be adopted as animal feed resources in Nigeria and therefore, recommended formulti-locational trials in all the ecological zones of the country.

Author Biographies

Y. M. Ishiaku, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

National Animal Production Research Institute

M. R. Hassan, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

Department of Animal Science

S. A. Abubakar, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

National Animal Production Research Institute

J. T. Amodu, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria Nigeria

National Animal Production Research Institute

S. B. Abdu, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria., Nigeria

Department of Animal Science

R. J. Tanko, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria., Nigeria

Department of Animal Science

S. A. Ahmed, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria Nigeria

National Animal Production Research Institute

A. G. Bala, College of Agriculture and Animal Science Mando, ABU, Zaria

Division of Agric. Colleges

T. T Akpenseun, University of Jos, Nigeria

Department of Animal Science

A. M. Ogungbesan, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State

Department of Animal Production

S. S. Bello, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria., Nigeria

Department of Animal Science

A. Suleiman, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria., Nigeria

National Animal Production Research Institute

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Published

2020-12-31

How to Cite

Ishiaku, Y. M., Hassan, M. R., Abubakar, S. A., Amodu, J. T., Abdu, S. B., Tanko, R. J., Ahmed, S. A., Bala, A. G., Akpenseun, T. T., Ogungbesan, A. M., Bello, S. S., & Suleiman, A. (2020). Germination percentage and emergence potential of nine newly introduced temperate forage germplasms in Shika, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Animal Production, 44(5), 232–238. https://doi.org/10.51791/njap.v44i5.1440

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