Growth Characteristics and Nutritive Value of Congo Grass (Brachiaria ruziziensis) as Influenced by Manure Type and Plant Spacing

• O.J. Idowu

  Department of Pasture and Range Management, Federal University of Agriculture, P.M.B. 2240, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

  Author

• T.E. Odebode

  Department of Pasture and Range Management, Federal University of Agriculture, P.M.B. 2240, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

  Author

• O.A. Okukenu

  Department of Pasture and Range Management, Federal University of Agriculture, P.M.B. 2240, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

  Author

• O.O. Adewumi

  Department of Animal Production and Health, Federal University of Agriculture, P.M.B. 2240, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

  Author

• O.S. Onifade

  Department of Pasture and Range Management, Federal University of Agriculture, P.M.B. 2240, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

  Author

• O.A. Sobande

  Department of Pasture and Range Management, Federal University of Agriculture, P.M.B. 2240, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

  Author

Adopting the right agronomic practices is crucial for enhancing forage productivity and nutritive value for ruminant feeding. This study investigated the effects of manure type and plant spacing on the growth characteristics and nutritive value of Brachiaria ruziziensis at different harvest intervals. A factorial experiment with 3 manure types (no manure, poultry manure, and swine manure) and 3 planting spacing (0.5 m x 0.5 m, 0.5 x 1.0 m, and 1.0 m x 1.0 m) with 3 replications was used. Growth measurements were taken at 4, 6, and 8 weeks after planting (WAP). Growth parameters measured include plant height (PH), leaf length (LL), leaf width (LW), leaf number/plant (LN/plant), and stem girth. For chemical analysis, plant samples from each week of harvest were pooled, oven dried at 60 C, and analysed for proximate composition, fibre fractions, and mineral contents using standard procedures. Results indicated that manure applications significantly (P < 0.05) increased the LL, LW, and LN/plant across harvest periods compared to the control. At 8WAP, swine manure consistently produced the highest values for LL (32.62cm), LW (2.60 cm), and LN/plant (10.78), poultry manure showed comparable lower performance, and the control showed the lowest values for LL (29.35cm), LW (2.40 cm), and LN/ plant (9.5). Row spacing significantly (P < 0.05) improved the LW and LN/plant across harvest periods. At 8WAP, the intermediate spacing (0.5 x 1.0m) produced the highest LW (2.55 cm) and LN/plant (10.5). Both manure applications significantly (P < 0.05) improved crude protein (CP), Ether extract (EE), and non-fibre carbohydrate (NFC) contents while reducing fibre fractions (neutral detergent fibre -NDF, Acid detergent fibre -ADF, and Acid detergent lignin -ADL) and mineral concentrations. Closer row spacing significantly (P < 0.05) improved the dry matter and CP contents and tended to numerically reduce fibre levels and mineral contents. In conclusion, both manure types, especially swine manure with moderate row spacing (0.5 m x 1.0 m), improved the growth characteristics and nutritive value of B. ruziziensis for sustainable ruminant production.

1. O.J. Idowu, Department of Pasture and Range Management, Federal University of Agriculture, P.M.B. 2240, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

   Department of Pasture and Range Management, Federal University of Agriculture, P.M.B. 2240, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

2. T.E. Odebode, Department of Pasture and Range Management, Federal University of Agriculture, P.M.B. 2240, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

   Department of Pasture and Range Management, Federal University of Agriculture, P.M.B. 2240, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

3. O.A. Okukenu, Department of Pasture and Range Management, Federal University of Agriculture, P.M.B. 2240, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

   Department of Pasture and Range Management, Federal University of Agriculture, P.M.B. 2240, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

4. O.O. Adewumi, Department of Animal Production and Health, Federal University of Agriculture, P.M.B. 2240, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

   Department of Animal Production and Health, Federal University of Agriculture, P.M.B. 2240, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

5. O.S. Onifade, Department of Pasture and Range Management, Federal University of Agriculture, P.M.B. 2240, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

   Department of Pasture and Range Management, Federal University of Agriculture, P.M.B. 2240, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

6. O.A. Sobande, Department of Pasture and Range Management, Federal University of Agriculture, P.M.B. 2240, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

   Department of Pasture and Range Management, Federal University of Agriculture, P.M.B. 2240, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

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