Variation in Fodder and Tuber Yields of Three Sweet Potato Varieties and the 48-h Rumen Dry Matter Degradation in N’dama Steers

摘要

Two experiments were conducted to study the influence of planting date on three sweet potato varieties (TIS-87/0087, TIS-8164 and TIS-2532.OP.1.13). Fodder yield peaked (P < 0.05) at July planting, while root yield and harvest index peaked at August planting. Leaf-to-stem ratio decreased (P < 0.05) from June to August plantings, while 48-h rumen DM degradation was lower for July planting and higher for June planting. Mean root yield and leaf-to-stem ratio were higher (P < 0.05) in variety TIS-8164, while TIS-87/0087 recorded lower root yield and TIS-2532.OP.1.13 gave lower leaf-to-stem ratio.