BIOMASS ESTIMATION AND SOME CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF HERBAGE AT LIVESTOCK GRAZING LAND, FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF KASHERE, GOMBE STATE - NIGERIA

Abstract

The research was carried out to determine the Biomass and proximate compositions of forage species in the Livestock Research Farm of Federal University of Kashere between July and October, 2019 Two (2) sampling blocks (A and B) 100m2 each were demarcated. Sampling commenced in July and thereafter, at 30-days intervals until termination of the trial. In each of the block, a belt transect of 5 m2 was randomly laid out and used for determination of yield of uninterrupted growth. Five grasses
form the Poaceae family,while three legume, form the family leguminuceae. Other families encountered include Rubiaceae and Solanaceae. Cenchrus cilirias had the higher (16.10%) contribution followed by Digitaria horizontalis with 13.20% while Anogeissus leicarpus contributed the least 0.20%. Relative proportion revealed that grasses had the higher frequency and percentage (9 and 52.96. The highest yield was obtained in the month of October. Forage yield increased steadily from early wet season to early dry season. Dry matters (DM) start from 91.2% in Sennna obtusifalus to a maximum of 93.4% in Digitaria horizontalis with a mean of 92.54%.Crude protein (CP) varies from 3.3% in Digitaria horizontalis with a maximum of 7.7% in Alysicarpus vaginalis and a mean of 7.9%. Crude fibers (CF) started from 13.1% in Digitaria horizontalis to a maximum of 22.5% in Alyscarpus vaginalis and a mean of 16.47%. Ether extract (EE) vary from 2.2% in Digitaria horizontalis to a maximum of 7.6% in Alyscarpus vaginalis and a mean of 4.72%.Nitrogen free extra (NFE) vary from 62.9% in Senna obtusifolia to a maximum of 71.1%and Digitaria horizontalis with a mean of 67.1%. Energy' increases from 317.1Kcal/g in Sennna obtusifalus to a maximum of 357.8Kcal/g in Pennisetum pedicellatum with a mean of 337.36Kcal/g. There is need of establishment of a mixed sown
pasture for better herbage quality and quantity throughout the season at the Livestock Research Farm grazing land.