Authors : I.R. Muhammad , A. Mustapha , B. Mohammed , L.S. Abdurrahman and M.Y. Ahmad
Abstract: 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.
I.R. Muhammad , A. Mustapha , B. Mohammed , L.S. Abdurrahman and M.Y. Ahmad , 2009. Commercially Focused Forage Production from Columbus Grass and Centurion Grown Alone or in Mixtures in the Semi Arid Environment. Agricultural Journal, 4: 91-95.