YIELD AND PROXIMATE COMPOSITION OF BRACHIARIA RUZIZIENSIS FERTILIZED WITH GOAT MANURE AS POTENTIAL DRY SEASON FORAGE FOR RUMINANTS

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the dry matter yield and proximate composition of irrigated Brachiaria ruziziensis as influenced by different rates of goat manure application during the dry season. Five treatments comprising of Brachiaria ruziziensis fertilized with 5, 10, 15, 20 t/ha dry matter (DM) goat manure (GM) and the control were arranged in a randomized complete block design with five replicates. The grass was cut back to 15 cm stubble height at the commencement of the study followed by harvesting of three random quadrat samples of 45-days regrowth for determination of yield and nutrient composition. The dry matter yield ranged from 1.88 to 5.26 t/ha and was highest for plots fertilized with 20 t/ha DM GM and least for control. The crude protein content of B. ruziziensis increased significantly (P < 0.05) with increased manure application rates. Plot fertilized with 20 t/ha DM GM had the highest value (9.28 %) while the control had the least value (7.59%). It can be concluded that goat manure application rate of 20 t/ha DM had the better potential to increase dry matter yield and proximate composition of irrigated B. ruziziensis during the dry season.