Rangeland Ecology & Management

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The quality of crop fractions of a degraded Panicum maximum pasture under different cutting intervals and nitrogen fertilizer rates
Author
Onyeonagu, C C
Anyadiegwu, O A
Uwalaka, T K
Publisher
African Journal of Range & Forage Science
Publication Year
2012
Body

The effects of cutting frequency and levels of nitrogen application on quality of crop fractions of a degradedPanicum maximum pasture was investigated in 2001 at Nsukka, Nigeria. Cutting intervals consisted of 3, 6, 9 and 12 weeks, while N rates were 0, 150, 300 and 450 kg-N ha-1. The percentage of P in the leaf, Na in all the fractions, Fe in the leaf and stem fractions, ash in the leaf and Zn in the leaf decreased significantly (P < 0.05) with increased interval between cuts. Nitrogen application increased significantly (P < 0.05) the percentage of P in all the fractions, and the percentage of Fe, K and Zn in the leaf compared with the control. Cutting every 3 weeks produced significantly (P < 0.05) higher concentrations of iron in the leaf and stem fractions than the other cutting intervals with application of 300 kg-N ha-1. The percentage of crude fibre in the stem increased significantly (P < 0.05) from 46 to 60% when the interval between cuts was increased from 6 to 9 weeks, while there was a 6% reduction in the crude fibre content of stem when nitrogen fertilizer was increased from 150 to 300 kg ha-1.

Language
English
Resource Type
Text
Document Type
Journal Issue/Article
Journal Name
African Journal of Range & Forage Science
Keywords
Mineral Composition
cutting frequency
Crude fibre
ash content
 Panicum maximum
pasture
Nitrogen Fertilizer
Nsukka
Nigeria
Africa