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ISSN Print: 2381-1013 ISSN Online: 2381-1021

American Journal of Agricultural Science

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Comparative Dry Matter Yields Assessment of Benue State Local Accession of Andropogon gayanus Kunth and Other Forage Grass Species in the Southern Guinea Savannah, Nigeria

American Journal of Agricultural Science
Vol.4 , No. 5, Publication Date: Sep. 14, 2017, Page: 114-119

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Authors

[1]	Abel Ibrahim Okwori, Department of Animal Production, Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria.
[2]	Michael Eghosa Aken’Ova, Department of Agronomy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Abstract

To meet the need for productive grasses for forage utilization in Benue State, a study was conducted in the state to identify suitable genotypes from among local and introduced grasses. The study comprised evaluation of improved genotypes of Andropogon gayanus from the dry savanna, Brachiaria, Cynodon, Panicum and Pennisetum purpureum species along with their local counterpart species, arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. In this trial, there were significant differences in annual rainy season DM yields which ranged from 5.3 (C. nlemfuensis) to 16.9 t/ha (P. purpureum S.15) at Makurdi and 5.4 (C. nlemfuensis) to 14.2 t/ha (P. purpureum S.13) at Yandev. On the basis of superior DM yield, Andropogon gayanus Acc.10, Panicum maximum cv. Ntchisi and Pennisetum purpureum S.15 are recommended for forage utilization in Benue State.

Keywords

Dry Matter Yields, Local Gamba Grass, Other Forage Species, Southern Guinea Savannah

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