CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND FORAGE QUALITY INDICES OF Megathyrsus maximus, Puerariaphaseoloides AND THEIR MIXTURES

Abstract

ABSTRACT Ruminants in the tropics are raised predominantly on grasses which are inherently poor in digestibility, nutritive value, and availability in the off-season. A study was carried out to evaluate the chemical composition and forage quality indices of Megathyrsus maximus (Guinea grass), Puerariaphaseoloides (Tropical kudzu) and their mixtures.The study was a one way analysis design with 3 pasture types (Megathyrsus maximus, Puerariaphaseoloides and Megathyrsus/Puerariamixtures).Which was replicated (3) times.Data obtained from this experiment will be analyzed using one-way analysis of variance option of the SPSS (IBM SPSS Statistics 23) software. Treatment means were statistically compared using Duncan's Multiple Range Test to identify differences between means and significant differences were declared if P<0.05. The results revealed that crude protein and NFC contents followed the order Puerariaphaseoloides>M. maximus / P. phaseoloides>Megathyrsus maximus. Puerariaphaseoloideshad the least ether extract (EE) content, while the M. maximus / P. phaseoloides and Megathyrsus maximus treatments had comparable higher (p<0.05) EE values. The M. maximus / P. phaseoloides mixture had a significantly (p<0.05) higher NDF contents than Puerariaphaseoloides. The M. maximus / P. phaseoloides mixture had significantly (p<0.05) higher ADL content than the pure P. phaseoloidesand M. maximus treatments. Megathyrsus maximus had the highest (p<0.05) CHO value, while P. phaseoloides and the M. maximus / P. phaseoloides mixture had comparable lower values. P. phaseoloides had significantly (p<0.05) higher DMI than both the M. maximus and the M. maximus / P. phaseoloides treatments, Puerariaphaseoloideshad a significantly (p<0.05) higher RFV than M. maximus, but had similar RFV with values recorded for M. maximus / P. phaseoloides. In Conclusion, Puerariaphaseoloidescan be included into grass for increased protein and energy level in animals.