CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND DEGRADABILITY CHARACTERISTICS OF SIGNAL GRASS (Brachiaria decumbens) GRASS

Abstract

Three ruminally fistulated Balami rams were used to evaluate the nutritive value of signa Brachiaria decumbens) grass harvested in the 1st 3 months northern Guinea Savannan using the In Sacco degradability method. The grass was incubated for periods of 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 72 and 96 have the result of the proximate analysis should varied up with highest 11.24% in the 1st month and lower 9.54% in the 3rd month. The highest potential degradability (a + b) was in the 1st month which was significantly (p<0.05) higher than the 2nd and 3rd months, respectively. The rate of degradation constant (c) was significa`ntly (p<0.05) lower in the 1st month (0.03) followed by the 3rd month (0.05) and the highest (0.06) was in the 2nd month.
Effective dry matter degradation significantly (p<0.05) decreased with increase in outflow rate across the months’ time of cutting (harvest) with the 1st month having the highest, followed by the 2nd and the third month. From the result of this study the 1st month had the highest degradation characterizes over the last two months. Signal grass has up content of 9.54% at 3 months of age which is an indication that is met the minimum requirement of 8% CP for maintenance of ruminant.