DRY MATTER YIELD AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF BERMUDA GRASS(CYNODON DACTYLON) AT DIFFERENT POST-PLANTING PERIOD IN BAUCHI STATE

Abstract

This study was conducted between June, 2020-2021 to September, 2020-2021 rainy season to investigate the dry matter yield  and chemical composition of Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon)at different post planting period. C. dactylon was established on a 3.5ha paddock by transplantation of sprigs from the wild. The dry matter yield (t/ha), leaf dry matter (%), stem dry matter (%) and total dry matter (%) were measured. The results obtained indicated that C.dactylon at week 12 had highest yield (7.52 t/ha) which was at par with week 10 (6.63 t/ha) but significantly different (P<0.01) from other weeks. Leaf dry matter followed same pattern as dry matter yield, while stem and whole plant dry matter were higher (P<0.01) in C. dactylon at week 12 (55.46 and 57.65% respectively). Higher dry matter yield, leaf dry matter, stem and total dry matter yield were obtained at week 12, but was similar to that in week 10. It is concluded that, Bermuda grass should be harvested at 12 weeks for higher dry matter yield, leaf and stem dry matter with good forage quality