Commercially Focused Forage Production from Columbus Grass and Centurion Grown Alone or in Mixtures in the Semi Arid Environment

摘要

An experiment was conducted to determine the component and summative yields of Columbus grass and Centurion species in Semi arid zone. The treatment combination were seed rate of 30 kg ha-1 of Sorghum almum, 10 kg ha-1 Centrosema pascuorum each representing 100% sole pasture and their mixtures in the ratios of 25% S. almum: 75% C. pascuorum, 50% S. almum: 50% C. pascuorum and 57% S. almum: 25% C. pascourum laid out in a complete randomized block design using plot size of 4x2 m. Pasture was sampled to monitor establishment and physiological development from 14 Days Post-Planting (DPP) and thereafter at 2 weeks interval up to full bloom stage. At full bloom stage forage was harvested to determine Dry Matter yield (DM). Results obtained showed stand counts of Sorghum almum statistically (p<0.05) increased from day 14 and attained a maximum by 56 days. From 42 DPP and subsequently, mixture with 25 or 50% C. pascourum had higher (p<0.05) stand counts relative to other treatments. Pasture height varied from 25.1-28.5 cm at 14 DPP. Thereafter, from 42 DPP, differences (p<0.05) manifested up to 84 DPP amongst the treatments evaluated. The treatment with 25% C. pascourum had taller (p<0.05) sward stand relative to other factors. Sward grown in mixture were comparable (p>0.05) in fresh leaf (75-83%). Dry matter yield was significantly different (p<0.05) in both component and cumulative yield. The mixture with 50% C. pascourum was statistically superior to all other treatments. Higher (p<0.05) total DM yield was obtained with treatment that had 50% S. almum plus 50% C. pascourum. Cost-benefit analysis of production showed higher output and net benefit from the mixed pasture sward of 50% Columbus grass and 50% Centurion. Based on the results of the present study, commercial pasture production would be more economical from mixed pasture sward of 50% Columbus grass and 50% Centurion in the zone.