This study evaluated the effects of urea ammoniation and varietal differences on the amino acid profile and mineral composition of two rice (Oryza sativa) straw cultivars, FARO 44 and FARO 66. A 2 × 4 factorial arrangement of two varieties and four urea levels (0, 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5% DM) was set up in a completely randomized design with six replicates. Chopped straw (2-5 cm) was ammoniated for 21 days at 27-32°C, aerated for 48 h, dried, milled (1 mm), and analyzed using Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy. Data was subjected to the GLM procedure of SAS. Variety × urea interaction significantly (P < 0.05) influenced all amino acids. Histidine increased from 0.063 to 0.099 g/100 g DM in FARO 66 at 4.5%. Isoleucine peaked at 0.411 g/100 g DM (3% FARO 66), while lysine increased to 0.246 and 0.261 g/100 g DM at 4.5% in FARO 44 and FARO 66, respectively. Leucine declined with increasing level of urea, whereas methionine peaked at 3% in FARO 66 (0.160 g/100 g DM). Arginine and aspartic acid increased to 0.708 and 1.37 g/100 g DM, respectively, in FARO 66 at 4.5%. Calcium reached 2.91 g/kg DM, phosphorus 2.07 g/kg DM, and nitrogen increased from 12.03 to 15.86 g/kg DM. Manganese and zinc also improved, while potassium generally declined. Overall, urea ammoniation at 3 – 4.5% enhanced amino acids and mineral composition, with FARO 66 showing greater responsiveness.

The study evaluated the effect of coconut oil (CNO) on the in vitro gas production, fermentation kinetics and methane production of Panicum maximum. Gas production was determined for a period of 72 hours with four (4) levels (0 (control), 1, 2 and 3 ml/g) of CNO incubated with 200mg of Panicum maximum. The experiment was set out in a completely randomized design. Fermentation kinetics were determined using the equation Y= a+b(1-e). Data obtained were analysed using one- way analysis of variance. Results showed that CNO decreased (p<0.05) both total gas production and methane from 50.00 ml and 11.00 ml in syringes incubated with 3 ml/g to 18.20 ml and 2.33 ml respectively in the control syringes. In conclusion, coconut oil reduced total gas, methane production and rate of degradation within the rumen.

The chemical composition of grass species from natural pasture in south west of Nigeria as affected by location was assessed through determination of its fibre and mineral composition. Results showed that the location had significant (P<0.05) effect on the parameters determined with neutral detergent fibre (NDF) values ranged from 68.75% in Oke-rori to 72.75% in Afami, while the Acid detergent fibre (ADF) value ranged from 41.00% in Atokun to 48.25% in Oke-rori. Whereas, acid detergent lignin (ADL) value ranged from 10.25% in Ipaya to 14.25% in Iboro. The Phosphorus (P) value had the highest in Ipaya (2.99g/kg) and the least value is observed in Oke-rori (1.62g/kg). The Calcium (Ca) value ranged from 2.55g/kg in Afami to 6.59g/kg in Oke-rori while Mg value ranged from 2.90g/kg in Atokun to 4.33g/kg in Iboro.

Animal feeding is one of the major factors affecting the success of livestock rearing. However, the rhythm of harvest or grazing depends on the plant maturity which is one of the most important factors of grass-feeding-value variation. The research was conducted to evaluate the chemical composition of two tropical grasses (Brachiaria ruziziensis and Chloris gayana) as affected by the age of harvest. The study was laid out in a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement in a split plot design comprising of two grasses (Brachiariaruziziensis and Chlorisgayana) constituted the main plot while the age at harvest (3, 6 and 9 weeks) was the sub plots replicated thrice. Dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, ash, non fibre carbohydrate, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, acid detergent lignin, hemicellulose, cellulose, macro and micro mineral contents were determined. Result showed that proximate composition of B. ruziziensis and C. gayana were not significant (p>0.05) except crude protein (CP) and ash contents. There was decline in CP contents as the grasses advanced in maturity in which grasses harvested at three weeks had highest CP (10.38%) content. Also, the structural constituent's decreased as the grasses advanced in age. Irrespective of the grasses, the grass harvested at three weeks had the least NDF (57.33%), ADF (35.83%) and ADL (7.00%) contents while the highest contents of NDF (61.33%), ADF (39.50%) and ADL (10.00%) was recorded at nine weeks of harvesting. C. gayana harvested at three weeks had highest (10.95%) CP content with the least (8.91%) content recorded in B. ruziziensis harvested at 6 weeks. There were no significant (p>0.05) different in ash content of B. ruziziensis harvested at 6 and 9 weeks while C. gayana harvested at 6 weeks had the least (7.33%) content. Chlorisgayana had higher contents of Ca (3.96 g/kg), P (3.28 g/kg), Na (1.73 g/kg), Cu (8.18 mg/kg), Zn (47.27 mg/kg) and Mn (113.89 mg/kg) than B. ruzizensis for both macro and micro mineral. There were no consistent trends in the mineral contents of both grasses at different age at harvest. It is therefore concluded that there were variations in the chemical composition of the two tropical grasses at different age at harvest L'alimentation animale est l'un des facteurs majeurs affectant le succès de l'élevage. Cependant, le rythme de récolte ou de pâturage dépend de la maturité de la plante qui est l'un des facteurs les plus importants de variation de la valeur graminée. La recherche a été menée pour évaluer la composition chimique de deux graminées tropicales (Brachiaria ruziziensis et Chloris gayana) en fonction de l'âge de la récolte. L'étude a été présentée dans un arrangement factoriel 2 x 3 dans une conception de parcelle divisée comprenant deux graminées (Brachiaria ruziziensis et Chloris gayana) constituaient la parcelle principale tandis que l'âge à la récolte (3, 6 et 9 semaines) était les sous-parcelles répliquées trois fois. Les teneurs en matière sèche, protéines brutes, extrait éthéré, cendres, glucides non fibreux, fibres détergentes neutres, fibres détergentes acides, lignine détergente acide, hémicellulose, cellulose, macro et micro minéraux ont été déterminées. Les résultats ont montré que la composition immédiate de B. ruziziensis et C. gayana n'était pas significative (p>0,05), à l'exception des teneurs en protéines brutes (PB) et en cendres. Il y a eu une baisse de la teneur en PB à mesure que les graminées avançaient en maturité, les graminées récoltées à trois semaines ayant la teneur en PB la plus élevée (10,38 %). De plus, le constituant structurel diminue à mesure que les graminées vieillissent. Indépendamment des graminées, l'herbe récoltée à trois semaines avait les teneurs les plus faibles en NDF (57,33 %), ADF (35,83 %) et ADL (7,00 %) tandis que les teneurs les plus élevées en NDF (61,33 %), ADF (39,50 %) et ADL (10,00 %) a été enregistré à neuf semaines de récolte. C. gayana récolté à trois semaines avait la teneur en CP la plus élevée (10,95 %) avec la teneur la plus faible (8,91 %) enregistrée chez B. ruziziensis récolté à 6 semaines. Il n'y avait pas de différence significative (p>0,05) dans la teneur en cendres de B. ruziziensis récolté à 6 et 9 semaines tandis que C. gayana récolté à 6 semaines avait la teneur la plus faible (7,33%). Chloris gayana avait des teneurs plus élevées en Ca (3,96 g/kg), P (3,28 g/kg), Na (1,73 g/kg), Cu (8,18 mg/kg), Zn (47,27 mg/kg) et Mn (113,89 mg /kg) que B. ruzizensis pour les macro et micro minéraux. Il n'y avait pas de tendances cohérentes dans la teneur en minéraux des deux graminées à différents âges à la récolte. Il est donc conclu qu'il y avait des variations dans la composition chimique des deux graminées tropicales à différents âges à la récolte.

Pastures have over the years been selected for important traits and their breeding has resulted in some high yielding forage grasses with great adaptive and population expansion traits. The research was carried out to study genetic diversity of nine Andropogon spp. sourced from Remo zone of Ogun State using four microsatellite markers (Phil227562, Xcup63, CTM59, and Xcup14). Genomic DNA was extracted from succulent leaf part of Andropogon grass using DNA extraction procedure of Zymo spin™ technology. Every one of the loci–populace is in with Hardy–Weinberg equilibrum. A sum of eight alleles were noticed and the quantity of alleles per locus has an estimation of 2.00, while the number of alleles ranged from 1.528 (Phil227562) to 1.946 (Xcup63). The viable number of alleles was lesser than noticed number at all the loci. The Shannon's Information Index differed among the loci with 0.530 (Phil227562) to 0.679 (Xcup63) though Inbreeding coefficient across the Andropogon grass clones was negative (mean = - 0.429), going from 0.07 (Phil 227562) to 0.714 (Xcup63) with 100% polymorphic loci. The noticed heterozygosity was higher than expected heterozygosity for all markers of the grass considered.

A field trial was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria to evaluate the effects of weed management and fertilizer application methods on growth and biomass yield of two Panicum maximum varieties. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with two fertilizer application methods. Two weed managements (weeded versus not weeded) and two Panicum varieties {(P. maximum local (unimproved) versus P. maximum Ntchisi (improved)} and two fertilizer application methods (single dose versus split) were set out in a 3x2x2 factorial arrangement. The unimproved P. maximum variety attained significantly (P<0.05) greater height compare to the improved variety while weed management and fertilizer application methods were not significant (P>0.05). Although the unimproved Panicum recorded higher values in leaflength (89.23 versus 76.01 cm) when compared with the improved variety while the leaf width (3.37 versus 3.67 cm), leaf density (639.24 versus 1 004.99 leaf m-2), tiller density (130.82 versus 215.11 tiller m-2) and herbage yield (20.56 versus 26.21 t ha-1) produced were higher (P<0.05) for the improved P. maximum variety. Split application method significantly enhanced better herbage yield as compared to the single application and the unfertilized (control) treatment. The interaction between variety and time of harvest was highly significant (P<0.001) in growth parameters and biomass yields of the two grass varieties.

Sporadic change in weather condition has posed serious threat to hay production which has been considered to be the simplest means of conserving forage during the period of abundance. In order to maximize opportunity of ensuring that forage is conserved with less weather dependent technique, an experiment was conducted to evaluate chemical composition of hay produced from three different drying techniques stored for a period of 90 days in South-west Nigeria. The experiment comprises three factors namely: Four fertilizer types, two grass species and three drying techniques forming 4 x 2 x 3 factorial arrangement, having 24 total treatments combinations replicated thrice. The fertilizer types were N.P. K. 20:10:10 (NPK), Aleshinloye organo-mineral (AOM) and poultry manure (PM) and a control. These were applied at the rate of 120 kgN/ha based on their nitrogen content. The grasses were Panicum maximum (Ntchisi) and Andropogon tectorum which were harvested at 8 weeks after cutting back (8WAC) in early dry season period in the year 2016. The three drying techniques were oven drying, solar drying and conventional drying. The results presented shows that solar dried hay were observed to produce the highest significant (P<0.05) crude protein (CP) (9.50, 8.81 and 8.41%) at 0, 6 and 12 weeks after storage (WAS), respectively. Meanwhile, the highest (P<0.05) ash (9.77 %) was observed in conventional dried hay at 6 WAS. The highest (P<0.05) ether extract (EE) (5.92%) was obtained in conventional dried hay at 12 WAS. The highest (P<0.05) Non Fibre Carbohydrate (NFC) values (23.35, 29.19 and 44.41%) were observed in conventional dried hay, while the lowest (P<0.05) NFC values (10.42, 25.12 and 37.55%) were obtained in solar dried hay at 0, 6 and 12 WAS, respectively. The highest (P<0.05) Neutral Detergent Fibre (NDF) (58.08 and 48.83%) were observed in oven and solar drying techniques at 0 and 6 WAS respectively. Conventional dried hay had the highest ADL (14.58%) at 12 WAS. The highest (P<0.05) hemicellulose (16.17 and 24.58%) were recorded in solar dried hay at 0 and 6, WAS respectively. In conclusion, solar drying technique produced best hay having the highest CP content throughout the sampling periods, although the CP content was decreased as the storage progresses, but it still retained the CP content beyond the recommended rate for optimum animal performance. Les changements sporadiques dans les conditions météorologiques ont posé une grave menace à la production de foin, qui a été considérée comme le moyen le plus simple de conserver le fourrage pendant la période d'abondance. Afin de maximiser les possibilités de s'assurer que le fourrage est conservé avec une technique moins dépendante des conditions météorologiques, une expérience a été menée pour évaluer la composition chimique du foin produite à partir de trois techniques de séchage différentes stockées pendant une période de 90 jours dans le sud-ouest du Nigéria. L'expérience comprend trois facteurs: quatre types d'engrais, deux espèces d'herbe et trois techniques de séchage formant 4 x 2 x 3 arrangement factorial, ayant 24 combinaisons totales de traitements répliquées trois fois. Les types d'engrais étaient N.P. K. 20:10:10 (le 'NPK'), Aleshinloye organo-minéral (le 'AOM') et fumier de volaille (le 'PM') et un contrôle. Ceux-ci ont été appliqués à un taux de 120 kgN/ha en fonction de leur teneur en azote. Les graminées étaient panicum maximum (Ntchisi) et Andropogon tectorum qui ont été récoltées à 8 semaines après la coupe (8WAC) au début de la saison sèche en 2016. Les trois techniques de séchage étaient le séchage au four, le séchage solaire et le séchage conventionnel. Les résultats présentés montrent que le foin séché solaire a été observé pour produire la protéine brute (CP) la plus importante (P<0.05) (CP) (9.50, 8.81 et 8.41 %) 0, 6 et 12 semaines après le stockage (WAS), respectivement. Pendant ce temps, les cendres les plus < (P<0.05) (9.77 %) a été observé dans le foin séché conventionnel à 6 WAS. Extrait d'éther (P<0.05) le plus élevé (EE) (5.92 %) a été obtenu dans le foin séché conventionnel à 12 WAS. Les valeurs les plus élevées (P<0.05) non fibre de carbone (NFC) (23.35, 29.19 et 44.41 %) ont été observées dans le foin séché conventionnel, tandis que les valeurs NFC les plus faibles (P<0.05) (10.42, 25.12 et 37.55 %) ont été obtenus dans le foin séché solaire à 0, 6 et 12 WAS, respectivement. Fibre détergente neutre (NDF) la plus élevée (P<0.05) (NDF) (58.08 et 48.83 %) ont été observés dans les techniques de séchage au four et solaire à 0 et 6 WAS respectivement. Le foin séché conventionnel avait l'ADL le plus élevé (14.58%) à 12 WAS. L'hémicellulose la plus élevée (P<0.05) (16.17 et 24.58 %) ont été enregistrés dans le foin séché solaire à 0 et 6, WAS respectivement. En conclusion, la technique de séchage solaire a produit le meilleur foin ayant la teneur en CP la plus élevée tout au long des périodes d'échantillonnage, bien que la teneur en CP ait diminué au fur et à mesure que l'entreposage progresse, mais elle a tout de même conservé la teneur en CP au- delà du taux recommandé pour une performance optimale des animaux.

The research was carried was carried out to evaluate the chemical composition of the dominant grasses harvested from the natural pasture in selected villages in Ogun State, South-western Nigeria at different seasons. The study was carried out using a 4 × 6 factorial arrangement comprising four seasons (early rain, late rain, early dry and late dry) at six locations (Afami, Atokun, Ibooro, Ileniku, Ipaaya, and Okerori). Results showed that the crude protein (CP) content significantly (p<0.05) varied from 5.56 % for Okerori to 7.34 % for Ibooro and the grasses harvested at Afami had the highest (72.75 %) neutral detergent fibre (NDF) values with the least (68.75 %) value recorded for Okerori, while the acid detergent fibre (ADF) values ranged from 41.00 % for Atokun to 48.25 % for Okerori. Also, CP value as affected by the season ranged from 4.23 % for late rainy to 9.44 % for the early rainy season and NDF values from 67.33% for late dry to 72.33 % for late rainy season while the early dry season had the highest value (48.00 %) for ADF with the least value (40.33 %) was recorded for the early rainy season. The phosphorus (P) value was highest at Ipaaya (2.99 g/kg) with the least value observed at Okerori (1.62 g/kg). The value for calcium ranged from 2.55 g/kg at Afami to 6.59 g/kg at Okerori. The P value of grasses as affected by seasons ranged from 1.46 g/kg for early dry to 2.66 g/kg for early rainy seasons.

This experiment was conducted to determine the effect of cutting intervals on the dry matter (DM) yield, yield components and nutrient contents of four varieties of Pennisetum purpureum. Varieties experimented include: Local green, Local purple, S13 and S15. These were planted in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. All the four varieties of P. purpureum were cut at intervals of 4, 8 and 12 weeks after cutback (WAC) to represent first, second and third cutting intervals respectively. Results showed that the dry matter yield of the P. purpureum grasses significantly decreased from first to third cutting intervals. Variety S15 recorded a higher (P < 0.05) dry matter yield (13.26 t ha-1) at the first cutting interval. Variety S13 had higher leaf proportion (89) at first cutting interval and tiller density (137.00 tiller-1 m2) at third cutting interval (than the other varieties). Cutting intervals had significant effect (P < 0.05) on the crude protein (CP) content of the grasses which was higher at second cutting interval for S15. In contrast, the neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) increased from first to third cutting intervals for all the varieties. The CP and fibre contents of the Pennisetum varieties at different cutting intervals were within the levels recommended for optimum animal performance.

This study was carried out to investigate the forage yield and nutritive quality of two groundnut (SAMNUT 22 and local) varieties as influenced by fertilizer type in the humid ecological zone of Nigeria. The study was a 3 x 2 factorial experiment in a split-plot design with the fertilizer type (poultry droppings, NPK and the control) as the main plot and variety (SAMNUT 22 and Local) as the sub-plot which amounts to six treatments with three replicates. The inorganic-fertilized SAMNUT 22 had the highest forage dry matter (DM) yield (10.23 t/ha). The inorganic-fertilized local variety had the highest DM (94.60 %) and the least DM value (93.68 %) recorded for inorganic-fertilized SAMNUT 22. The highest and least crude protein (21.71 % vs 18.28%) contents were recorded for inorganic-fertilized local and unfertilized SAMNUT 22 variety, respectively. The neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL) that were recorded for the unfertilized SAMNUT 22 were the highest with values 58.13 %, 25.86 % and 3.35 %, respectively. The highest gas (57.75 ml/200mgDM) production, methane (13.50 ml/200mgDM) and in vitro dry matter digestibility (70.22 %) were recorded for unfertilized local variety, unfertilized SAMNUT 22 and organic-fertilized local variety, respectively. The unfertilized SAMNUT 22 had the highest tannin content of 6.43 mg/100g and saponin content of 9.29 mg/100g whereas the organically fertilized Local variety had the highest oxalate (140.65 mg/100g) content. In conclusion, the two varieties and especially SAMNUT 22 when inorganic fertilizer was applied have proved to be good feed resource with regards to high yield, CP and low anti-nutrient quality and are recommended as forage of high nutritive values for ruminant animal production.

A study was carried out to determine the influence of variety, manure type and season on the micro mineral content of two P. maximum varieties. The trial included: two Panicum varieties (Local and Ntchisi), three manure types (cattle dung, swine dung and poultry droppings) plus control (No manure) and two seasons (rainy and dry). Samples were harvested from each plot to estimate dry matter yield (DMY), crude protein, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre and microelements (Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn). The DMY of Ntchisi variety was higher (P<0.01) than that of the Local variety. Grasses fertilized with swine manure had the best (P<0.001) DMY while yield was better in the rainy season compared with dry season. There was season difference in the mineral contents except (P>0.05) for Fe. Manure differences were only noticed in the Zn and Mn contents of the grasses. Despite these differences, the grasses contained adequate amount of microelements required by ruminants, with the exception of Cu content in the dry season. In production systems where the two Panicum varieties constitute the major diets of grazing animals, it would be necessary to offer supplementary Cu in the dry season.

This study was carried out to characterise Pennisetum purpureum harvested from some selected locations in S outh-W estern Nigeria using microsatellite markers. Leaf parts of growing young elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) were harvested and immediately preserved in ethanol solution before DNA extraction. Two (2) SSR primers (CTM59 and Xtxp278) were used to assess genetic diversity in Pennisetum purpureum. The result shows that 72% of the molecular variations in the elephant grass exists within the population with 28% among the population; there were no unique characteristics among the Nine (9) populations. Nei genetic index ranged from 0.067 (lowest) observed between Isokan and Odeda populations to 0.158 (highest), between Ifedore and Ikoyi Populations. Morphological characterization showed moderate diversity with two major clusters and one minor cluster. Keyword: Elephant grass; cultivars; locations; markers

This study was conducted to investigate the combined effect of manure type and harvesting age on physical properties and chemical composition of silage produced from Pennisetum hybrid forage. The manure types were from cattle, poultry, swine, goat, while the harvesting times were 4 and 8 weeks after cutback (WAC). Colour results varied significantly (P < 0.05). Dry matter, ether extract, crude fibre, ash, crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre and lignin contents of the silage varied significantly (P < 0.05). Higher CP content (91.0 g.kg-1) of the silage was obtained from the interactive effect of poultry or goat manure and 4 WAC harvesting age of Pennisetum hybrid. Higher ash content (330.0 g.kg-1) was recorded for the combined effect of goat manure and 4 WAC on the Pennisetum silage, while the least (70.0 g.kg-1) occurred in grass without manure application sampled 8 WAC. Higher Ca (7.14 g.kg-1) was recorded in silage from swine manure and 4 WAC harvesting age effect. Phosphorus content of the silage was higher (2.57 g.kg-1) with poultry manure and 8 WAC effect, while the least (1.01 g.kg-1 and 1.98 g.kg-1) were from no manure effect at both harvesting ages. Crude protein content of silage made from the Pennisetum hybrid fertilized with either poultry or goat manure and harvested at 4 WAC was the best. Physical properties of the silage were generally of acceptable/desirable grades. With or without the manure application, the minerals of the silage were generally higher than the recommendation of ruminants.

An experiment was conducted to examine comparative performance of fertilizer types on growth and yield of Panicum maximum and Andropogon tectorum during the early rainy season in Abeokuta. It consists of three factors namely: 4 fertilizer types, 2 grass species and 2 age at harvest allotted to main plots, sub plots and sub-sub-plots respectively. It is therefore factorial experimental arrangement (4 x 2 x 2) laid out in a split-split-plot design with three replicates having a total number of sixteen (16) treatments. The fertilizer types were N.P. K. 20:10:10 (NPK), Aleshinloye organo-mineral (AOM) and poultry manure (PM) and a control. These were applied at the rate of 120 kgN/ha based on their nitrogen content. The grasses were Panicum maximum (Ntchisi) and Andropogon tectorum which, were harvested at 6 and 8 weeks after cut back (i.e. 6 WAC and 8WAC) for determination of dry matter yield. Growth parameters such as leaf length (LL), leaf width (LW), number of tillers (TN) and number of leaves (LN) were estimated from 2 to 6 weeks after cut back in the early rainy season following the year of establishment. The results show that fertilizer types did not significantly affect (P>0.05) the LL and LW of A. tectorum and P. maximum. There were significant differences (P 0.05) under the influence of fertilizer types, but TN and LN were (P 0.05) differed at 4 and 6 WAC.The fertilizer types and grass species did not influence (P>0.05)the mean values of dry matter yield (DMY), forage proportion (FP) and weed proportion (WP). The mean values presented in the result indicated that age at harvest affected (P<0.05) DMY, FP and WP. The highest DMY and FP (29.89 t/ha and 99.82 %, respectively) were observed at 8 weeks. The highest WP (0.89%) was recorded at 6 weeks. It could be concluded that when moisture content is inadequate, fertilizer application may not elicit any significant influence on the growth and biomass production of forage plants.Keynote: Comparative performance, fertilizer types, early rainy season, Panicum maximum, Andropogon tectorum

A field experiment was conducted during the wet and dry season of 2011 to 2012 at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta located in the Derived savanna agro-ecological zone of Southwest, Nigeria. The aim of the experiment was to investigate the contribution of Stylosanthes hamata cv. Verano and Stylosanthes guianensis cv. Schofield to total fodder yields, nutritive value and reduction of enteric methane gas when intercropped with Brachiaria decumbens . Nine treatments in all consisting of soles of a grass, legumes and grass-legume mixtures in the ratios 1:1, 1:2 and 1:3 for each legume species.  The Relative yield (RY),Land Equivalent Ratio (LER), total dry matter yield, proximate composition, in vitro gas production and methane gas production were estimated at both seasons. S. guianensis gave a higher significant (Pu003c0.05) relative yield when intercropped in double or triple rows with B. decumbens in both seasons. Planting triple rows of S. guianensis with a single row of B. decumbens produced the highest significant (Pu003c0.05) total DM yield of 4.17 t/ha. The volume of gas produced after 24 hours increased significantly (Pu003c0.5) as the rows of legumes increased in the mixtures. In both seasons, the volume of methane gas produced in the sole grass was higher (Pu003c0.05) than in the mix swards. In all the six (6) mixtures ratios evaluated, intercropping of up to three (3) rows of S. guianensis within a row B. decumbens produced outstanding results in terms of biomass, quality and environmental impact in relation to enteric methane production.

Effects of Bambara nut and cowpea planted with maize at different times on nutritive quality of maize forage were investigated. The study was laid out in a Completely Randomized Design and the treatments were combination of crop types (Bambara nut-maize (MB) and Cowpea-maize (MC) and planting times of legumes (2 wks before planting maize, 2WBPM and 2 wks after planting maize, 2WAPM), and sole maize (as control). An experimental field measuring 19 m � 11 m was divided into 3 replicates; each replicate was sub-divided into 5 plots of dimension 3 m2 each, with 1 m and 2 m inter-plots and inter-blocks spacing respectively. Maize forage samples were harvested on each plot at 10 wks after planting, oven-dried, milled and analyzed to evaluate the chemical composition, mineral composition, in vitro gas production and post-incubation characteristics. Results revealed significant differences (P<0.05) among treatments with the highest (95.00%) and least DM (92.12%) values were recorded for MB 2WBPM and MC 2WAPM, respectively. CP values ranged from 10.36% in MB 2WBPM to 15.67% in MC 2WBPM but not significantly different from 14.19 % recorded for sole maize. Ash ranged from 7.00% in MB 2WAPM to 10.00% in sole maize. MC 2WBPM and sole maize had the highest (50.63%) and least (38.40%) in ADF content (P<0.05). ADL value (7.25%) observed in MB 2WBPM was the highest, compared to the least (5.00%) in sole maize. Sole maize recorded the least (40.40%) and highest (25.91%) cellulose and hemicellulose contents, respectively while MC 2WAPM had the highest (50.88%) and lowest (15.80%) values for cellulose and hemicellulose, respectively. Ca content (4.55g/kg) of MB 2WAPM was lower than the other treatments. P content ranged from 3.54 g/kg in MB 2WAPM to 12.02 g/kg in MC 2WAPM. Gas production rates only varied (P<0.05) at the 3rd, 6th, 24th and 48th hours of incubation. MB 2WBPM yielded highest values of short chain fatty acids (0.09 �mol) and metabolizable energy (3.08 MJ/kg) while MB 2WAPM recorded the lowest values (0.01 �mol and 2.57 MJ/kg) for the same parameters. MC 2WAPM and MB 2WAPM produced highest values of OMD (31.60 %) and DMD (37.50 %), respectively. In conclusion, sole maize had desirable CP, Ca, P with least fibre constituents. OMD and DMD of the sole maize were not significantly different from most of the legume mixtures. Better SCFA and ME also make MB 2WBPM treatment desirable.

A two year study was carried out to evaluate the effect of manure type and season on forage yield, quality and macro elements of two Panicum maximum varieties. The manures used are those of cattle, swine and poultry, the two P. maximum varieties are Local and Ntchisi whereas the seasons are the rainy and dry seasons. The grass samples were harvested and yield measured from each plot, the samples harvested were used in the determination of the dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and macro-elements (P, Ca, K, Mg and Na). The grasses harvested in the rainy season (14.55 vs 15.76 tha-1 for 2010 and 2011 respectively) had better yield (P<0.05) than those of the dry season (12.2 vs 13.32 tha-1 for 2010 and 2011 respectively) in both year of the study. Grasses fertilized with swine manure outweighed others in both years (16.65 vs 18.51 tha-1 for 2010 and 2011 respectively) and P. maximum Ntchisi was performed better than P. maximum Local. The crude protein (CP) content of grasses harvested in the rainy season (104.20 vs 110.30 g kg-1DM for 2010 and 2011 respectively) was higher than those of dry season, the CP content of grasses fertilized with cattle dung was highest in the first year and grasses fertilized with swine manure had the highest CP content in the second year, though statistically similar to those fertilized with cattle dung. The neutral detergent fibre (NDF) of the grasses fertilized with poultry manure (594.01 vs 580.12 g kg-1DM for 2010 and 2011 respectively) was the least (P<0.05) for both years and P. maximum Ntchisi had the least NDF content. The grasses harvested in the dry season in both years recorded higher (P<0.05) values for P (3.18 vs 3.21 g kg-1DM), Ca (5.99 vs 5.82 g kg-1DM) and Mg (2.23 vs 2.25 g kg-1DM) concentrations for 2010 and 2011 respectively, while the grasses harvested in the rainy season had higher (P<0.05) values for K (8.79 vs 8.83 g kg-1DM) and Na (1.63 vs 1.52 g kg-1DM) concentrations for 2010 and 2011 respectively. Grasses fertilized with swine manure had the highest P concentration, Ca concentration in the first year was recorded for unfertilized grasses. Grasses fertilized with cattle dung had the highest Mg (2.13 vs 2.18 g kg-1DM) concentration in 2010 and 2011 respectively whereas the K (8.87 vs 8.61 g kg-1DM) and Na (1.71 vs 1.90 g kg-1DM) concentrations for 2010 and 2011 respectively were recorded for grasses fertilized with swine manure and unfertilized ones respectively. Panicum maximum Ntchisi had higher values of Ca (5.63 vs 5.49 g kg-1DM), Mg (2.23 vs 2.01 g kg-1DM), K (8.38 vs 7.93 g kg-1DM) and Na (1.34 vs 1.29 g kg-1DM) concentration for 2010 and 2011 respectively. It could be concluded that manured P. maximum varieties are a very good source of macro minerals for ruminant livestock.Keywords: Mineral, grasses, ruminant, Guinea grass, concentration.