An experiment was conducted to evaluate the yield of forage, silage and nutrients composition of two maize accessions: West Atlantic Seed Alliance 1 (WASA1) and an accession from Shika tagged (SHIMAZ). The maize seeds were planted in plots of 5 m x 5 m (25 m 2 ) size with four replicates for each accession. The results showed that, there was no significant (P > 0.05) difference between the accessions for plant height and number of leaves at 4, 6, 8 and 10 weeks after sowing (WAS), but leaf area index (LAI) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in SHIMAZ accession at 6 and 10 WAS. The number of leaves per plant, green leaves, leaf area and forage yield at 91, 105 and 119 days after sowing (DAS) were not significant (P > 0.05) in the two accessions of maize, but leaf area and LAI were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in WASA1 accession.. The percentage dry-matter (DM) content was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in WASA1, although leaf, and stem ratios were significantly (P < 0.01) higher at various stages of harvest. The crude protein (CP) and nitrogen free-extract (NFE) were significantly (P < 0.01) higher in WASA1 accession while crude fibre (CF) was significantly (P < 0.01) higher in SHIMAZ. The proximate components (ash, EE and CP) and NDF were significantly (P < 0.01) higher in WASA1 silage, but NFE and ADF were higher (P < 0.05) in SHIMAZ accession.

An experiment was conducted in 2009, 2010 and 2011 dry seasons to investigate the use of lablab (Lablab purpureus L. Sweet) as alternative forage legume for use in maize-legume intercrop under 3 irrigation regimes. Lablab was harvested for forage yield from 6 to 18 weeks after seeding. Forage yield and quality of lablab at different ages of growth and irrigation frequency, as well as maize grain yield and yield components were measured. Plant height of maize and number of leaves of lablab were not affected (P > 0.05) by years of trial. Plant stand count of lablab, number of leaves of maize, plant height of lablab, and LAI of maize and lablab differed (P < 0.05) with years of trial. Irrigation frequency did not affect (P < 0.05) number of leaves of maize and lablab. There were significant (P < 0.05) interactions between age of cutting x year of trial x irrigation schedule on dry forage yield of lablab. Age of cutting had no effect (P > 0.05) on forage Mg and Na contents of lablab. The CP contents of lablab at 15 and 18 WAS were lower (P < 0.05) than the CP at 6 WAS. The forage CF, NDF, ADF, EE and NFE differed (P < 0.05). Except ADF and Ca: P, measured nutrients did not differ (P > 0.05) with irrigation frequency. The maize grain yield was higher (P < 0.05) in 2010 and 2011 (1722-1726 kg/ha) than 2009 (1412 kg/ha). Results from this study suggest that lablab could be introduced as a component crop in an intercropping system with maize under irrigation in Nigeria.

The study was conducted to evaluate forage dry matter and nutrient contents of Congo grass (Urochloa ruziziensis) and Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) in the Northern Guinea savanna of Nigeria for livestock production. A two (two grass species) by three years (2019, 2020 and 2021) factorial design was used. The experimental design was arranged in a Completely Randomized Design with four replicates. The forage crops were harvested at early bloom stage in each year. Urochloa ruziznsis was greater (p < 0.05) in plant height, number of tillers and leaves per plant compared to C. gayana. Foarge dry matter yield (14.1 t/ha) and Crude protein yield (1.7 t/ha) were also higher in U. ruziensis. The year 2020 produced higher dry matter yield, while the lowest value was recorded in the year establishment year (2019). On the other hand, C. gayana had higher (p < 0.05) fibre contents than U. ruziziensis. There was positive correlation between dry matter yield and the phonological variables, while a negative correlation existed between crude protein and crude fiber. The forage legumes an provide the basic nutrient requirement for maintenance in ruminants when fed with the two grasses, but the feeds should be supplemented with higher protein content feeds for highly production such as fattening and lactating animals. Overall, U. ruziziensis showed valuable forage grass in terms of dry matter yield and quality than C. gayana in the environment considered.

An experiment was carried out to evaluate two temperate forage legumes (Trifolium pratense and Trifolium repens) and two tropical forage legumes (Stylosanthes guianensis and Centrosema molle) for hay intake and digestibility in the cool tropical climate of Vom, Jos, Plateau State of Nigeria. The legumes were planted in the month of June, 2016 and harvested at early-podding stage for hay. Sixteen (16) growing male New Zealand White rabbits were used for the digestibility study. The rabbits were arranged in a Completely Randomised Design and in individual cages measuring 55 cm x 39 cm x 40 cm. Nutrient contents, intake and digestibility in rabbits were determined. Crude protein content was significantly (P<0.01) higher in T. repens (18.38%) compared to T. pratense (16.50 %), whereas S. guianensis produced the least value of 13.83%. The crude fibre content of the hay was significantly higher (P<0.0I) in S. guianensis (37.29 %) compared to the other forage legumes. Dry matter intake was significantly (P<0.01) higher in rabbits fed T. repens (77.88%) compared to T. pratense (76.57%), and the lowest value of 62.97% was obtained in S. guianensis. Crude protein intake was significantly (P<0.01) higher in rabbits fed T. repens (15.05 g d-1) compared to those fed T. pratense (12.71 g d-1), but S. guianensis had the least value of 8.64 g d-1. On the other hand, rabbits fed S. guianensis hay had a higher (P<0.01) crude fibre intake (23.39%). Trifolium repens was significantly (P<0.01) higher in dry matter and crude protein digestibility (64.79 and 85. 88 %), while S. guianensis had lower values of 56.89 and 71.33%, respectively. Trifolium repens also had a significantly (P<0.01) higher total nitrogen intake and retained compared to the other forage legumes. Nitrogen retained in T. repens was 2.40 g d-1 compared to 1.87 g d-1 in T. pretense, while S. guianensis had the lowest of 1.34 g d-1. The temperate forage legume hays were higher in nutrient content, intake and digestibility compared to the tropical legume hays. Therefore, the forage crops may serve as better supplementary feeds for livestock feeding especially during the dry season.

The study was designed to evaluate the dry matter yield and quality of two temperate (T. Pratense and T. repens) and two tropical forage legumes (S. guianensis and C.molle) harvested at early-flowering stage for hay in a cool tropical environment of Vom, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. The legumes were planted in the month of June, 2015 and 2016 in a 4 x 4 Latin Square Design with four replicates in plots measuring 5 m x 3 m. The forages were harvested at early-flowering stage for yield components, dry matter yield and nutrient quality evaluation. The result showed that C. molle was significantly (P<0.01) higher in height in the two seasons compared to the other legumes. Number of leaves per plant was higher (P<0.01) significantly in S. guianensis (125.00) in 2015 whereas, T. repens had higher (P<0.01) value (187.25) in 2016 cropping season.  Stylosanthes guianensis produced significantly (P<0.01) higher dry matter with 10.42 t ha-1 in 2015, while the dry matter yield obtained from C. molle (2.90 t ha-1) was the highest in 2016. Trifolium pratense and T. repens were scored excellent grade, while Stylosanthes guianensis and Centrosema molle were scored good in quality. Crude protein content was significantly (P<0.01) higher in T. repens (18.38%) compared to T. pratense (16.50 %), whereas S. guianensis produced the least value of 13.83%. The crude fibre content of the of the forage materials on the other hand was significantly higher (P<0.0I) in S. guianensis (37.29 %) compared to the other forage legumes. The temperate forage legumes in this trial were higher in nutrient content, but lower in dry matter yield. Therefore, the forage crops may serve as better supplementary feeds for livestock feeding especially during the dry season.