Authors : F.G. Sodeinde , V.O. Asaolu , A.A. Akingbade , I.O.A. Adeleye , O.A. Olabode and S.R. Amao
Abstract: Panicum maximum cv T58 was established on a three Nitrogen (0, 100 and 200 KgN ha-1) and spacing (50x50, 75x 75 and 100x100 cm) regimes in factorial arrangement using randomized complete block and split plot designs. The three nitrogen levels were the main treatments while the spacing was the sub treatments each replicated three times. Dry matter evaluation was done and nutrient quality analyzed after 8 weeks of planting. The harvested grass was fed to twenty-seven West African Dwarf Sheep in nine treatments with three replicates each. Feed intake, weight gain, feed digestibility, feed utilization and feed to gain ratio were parameters measured. From the results, animals on the 200 KgN ha-1/50x50 cm plot with a crude protein of 11.8% had the highest feed intake, weight gain and utilization values. The lowest were recorded for the 0KgN ha-1 treatment (5.2% CP). The 100 KgN ha-1/50x50 cm (10.8% CP) and 100 KgN ha-1/75x75 cm (8.6% CP) were not significantly different (p<0.05) in performance when compared to the 200 KgN ha-1/50x50 cm spacing (11..8% CP) and 200 KgN ha-1/75x75 cm spacing (9.6% CP), respectively. The phosphorus level followed the trend for the nitrogen level in all grass samples, which affected the acceptability level. Therefore, Panicum maximum cv T58 can be established on a 200 KgN ha-1/50x50 cm or 100 KgN ha-1/50x50 cm or on the 75x75 cm spacing and feed at 8 weeks for optimum animal production in the derived savanna zone.
F.G. Sodeinde , V.O. Asaolu , A.A. Akingbade , I.O.A. Adeleye , O.A. Olabode and S.R. Amao , 2006. September 27, 2006Feed Utilization and Growth Performance of Wad Sheep Fed Space Imposed and Nitrogen Fertilized Panicum maximum CV T58 in the Derived Savanna Zone. Research Journal of Biological Sciences, 1: 93-97.