EFFECT OF HARVESTING PERIOD ON HERBAGE PRODUCTIVITY AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF HARKIYA (Digitaria debilis)

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the herbage yield and proximate composition of Harkiya (Digitaria debilis) harvested at different stages of growth. Digitaria debilis is a genus of plants in the grass family poaceae. It is native to tropical and warm temperate regions and can be grown in subtropical and cooler temperate regions. The experiment was conducted using Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with the treatments (T1, T2, T3 and T4) representing herbage of Digitaria debilis harvested at weeks 6, 8, 10 and 12 post-transplanting respectively. Transplanting was done 14 days after planting, corresponding to 7 days after germination. Fresh and dry herbage yields (kg/ha) were significantly (P<0.001) higher in treatment 4 (7041.70kg and 2433.30kg respectively). It was revealed that the productivity of the herbage increased as the harvesting period (weeks) increased. The result also revealed that crude protein was highest (P<0.001) in week 8 (8.93%) and lowest in week 12 (6.52%). Crude fibre, neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre were significantly (P<0.001) higher in week 12 (treatment 4). It was concluded that Digitaria debilis harvested at week 8 had the highest crude protein while highest fresh and dry herbage yields was achieved at week 12 (treatment 4). It was recommended that Digitaria debilis should be harvested at week 8 for highest crude protein and at week 12 for highest herbage yield.