Effect of stocking rate on Rhodes grass-stylo pasture in Northern Guinea Savanna zone of Nigeria 3. Chemical composition

Abstract

A grazing trail was conducted to evaluate the effect of five stocking rates 12, 18, 24, 30 and 36 sheep/ha) on the chemical composition of Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana)- Stylo (Stylosanthes guinanensis) pastures in Nigeria. The pastures were set stocked for 154-210 days over five grazing periods. Stocking rate had no significant (P>0.05) effect on the crude protein (CP), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and magnesium Mg) contents of the pasture components. The concentrations of CP, K and Ca declined as plants matured while the levels of CP, P and Ca in the stewm were short of the recommended levela for rams. Acid detergent lignin (ADL) and fibre (ADF) were not affected by stocking rate but the neutral detergent fibre (NDF) of the components increased with stocking rate. The non-persistence of Style beyond one grazing period lowered the chemical composition of the pasture thus the need to incorporate more persistent legume(s) with the grass.