EVALUATION OF NUTRIENT COMPOSITIONS OF IRRIGATED GAMBA (ANDROPOGON GA YANUS) FORAGE IN ZARIA, NIGERIA

Authors

  • S. S. BELLO Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
  • J. T. AMODU National Animal Production Research Institute, Ahmadu Bello, University, Zaria.
  • M. R. HASSANI Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
  • A. G. BALA Ahmadu Bello University, Mando Kaduna State.
  • U. B. IBRAHIM Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
  • Y. M. ISHIAKU National Animal Production Research Institute, Ahmadu Bello, University, Zaria.
  • A. H. HASSAN Ahmadu Bello University, Mando Kaduna State.
  • H. IBRAHIM National Animal Production Research Institute, Ahmadu Bello, University, Zaria.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51791/njap.vi.6863

Keywords:

Gamba, chemical composition, irrigation, compost

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of varying levels of irrigation volume, irrigation frequency and compost on chemical compositions of gamba (Andropogon gayanus) forage. The experiment was laid out in a complete randomized block design with Split-Plot arrangement. The factors were arranged in a factorial arrangement, with three replications. There were three (3) levels of irrigation volumes (25, 50 and 100 L), two irrigation frequencies (3 and 6-day intervals) and two levels of compost manure application (25 and 50 kg/ha), respectively. Irrigation volumes were assigned as the main plots, while irrigation frequencies and compost were sub-plot factors. The result  showed there yere no treatment effects (P >0.05) on all. variables measured of the proximate composition (%) of gamba froage at 8 and 12 weeks. However, there were significant on interactions variables (P< 0.05) detected but the trend was inconsistent at all the age intervals considered. The mineral composition at all ages remained similar (P >0.05) in all the irrigation volume, intervals and compost treatments. However, interactions showed inconsistent trend (P< 0.05) in some mineral composition variables throughout the plant age. In conclusion, it is revealed that the combination of treatments imposed, have a significant effect on the chemical composition of Gamba It is therefore, economically feasible for famers to irrigate the forage based on the minimum irrigation volume (25L) that supplies adequate soil moisture in combination with cheap nutrient source (25kg/ha Compost manure) at 6 days irrigation interval for better nutritional quality and to save the extra cost of labour and waste of resources in Zaria, Nigeria.

Author Biographies

S. S. BELLO, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria

Department of Animal Science

J. T. AMODU, National Animal Production Research Institute, Ahmadu Bello, University, Zaria.

Feeds and Nutrition Research Programme

M. R. HASSANI, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria

Department of Animal Science

A. G. BALA, Ahmadu Bello University, Mando Kaduna State.

College of Agriculture and Animal Science

U. B. IBRAHIM, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria

Department of Animal Science

Y. M. ISHIAKU, National Animal Production Research Institute, Ahmadu Bello, University, Zaria.

Feeds and Nutrition Research Programme

A. H. HASSAN, Ahmadu Bello University, Mando Kaduna State.

College of Agriculture and Animal Science

H. IBRAHIM, National Animal Production Research Institute, Ahmadu Bello, University, Zaria.

Feeds and Nutrition Research Programme

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Published

2024-07-30

How to Cite

BELLO, S. S., AMODU, J. T., HASSANI, M. R., BALA, A. G., IBRAHIM, U. B., ISHIAKU, Y. M., HASSAN, A. H., & IBRAHIM, H. (2024). EVALUATION OF NUTRIENT COMPOSITIONS OF IRRIGATED GAMBA (ANDROPOGON GA YANUS) FORAGE IN ZARIA, NIGERIA. Nigerian Journal of Animal Production, 44–47. https://doi.org/10.51791/njap.vi.6863

Issue

2017: NSAP 2017 Proceedings

Section

Articles

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