Get reliable rangeland science

This study investigated the quality and phytochemical contents of three indigenous grass species for grazing animals in Yobe State a semi-arid region in the sahel, Nigeria. The pasture species Pennisetum pedicellatum, Andropogon gayanus and Chloris biflorus were harvested from grazing rangelands in the study area, measured and then analysed for determination of their nutritive quality and phytochemical content. Plants were harvested at bloom stage, sundried to 40% moisture level, shade-dried for ten days, mi lled into 2 mm particle size and stored in airtight polythene bags until analysis. Results obtained for nutrient composition revealed that A. gayanus had higher mean value for crude protein (10.62 g/100g) followed by P. pedicellatum (8.94 g/100g) then C. biflorus (6.81 g/100g). Nitrogen free extract was highest in C. biflorus (50.53 g/100g) and lowest in A. gayanus (36.70 g/100g). Phytochemical analysis showed that the concentration of flavonoids in P. pedicellatum (0.15 g/100g) was slightly higher than the respective values of 0.07 and 0.04 g/100g obtained in A. gayanus and C. biflorus. Similarly, P. pedicellatum (0.26 g/100g) had higher tannin level than both A. gayanus (0.04 g/100g) and C. biflorus (0.02 g/100g). The mean concentration of saponins in the three grass species was 0.09 g/100g (A. gayanus), 0.10 g/100g (P. pedicellatum) and 0.16 g/100g (C. biflorus) while that of alkaloids fell within the range of 0.14g/100g in C. biflorus and 0.25g/100g in A. gayanus. Based on the nutritive value and phytochemical content of the pasture species analyzed, it was concluded that A.gayanus could be best used to improve rangeland and livestock productivity in Yobe state, Nigeria.