PRELIMINARY STUDY ON EMERGENCE OF NINE INTRODUCED TEMPERATE FORAGE GERMPLASMS IN SHIKA, NIGERIA

Abstract

A trial was conducted with 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), 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 trials were carried out to ascertain seed 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 did not germinate with i 00 % Seed dormancy. Highest emergence rate, seedling length and seedling vigour index were 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. The forages except Chinese alfalfa and foxtail millet can successfully be adopted as animal feed resources in Nigeria and therefore, recommended for multi-locational trial in all the ecological zones in the country.