Harvesting Strategies for Improved Mixtures of Calliandra and Napier Grass in the Central Kenyan Highlands

Nyaata, O. Z.; O’Neill, M. K.; Dorward, Peter; Keatinge, J. D. H.

doi:10.1300/j064v19n03_08

Cited by 4 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…Similarly, the lowest annual yield of DL Napiergrass in the third year might reflect the lowest precipitation among the four years ( Figure 4). Since the cutting interval should affect the yield of Napiergrass, showing a higher yield with longer intervals [34][35][36], DM yield in the fourth year, with no midway defoliation, tended to be higher than the preceding three years, even though no fertilizer was applied (Figure 1). …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Repeated Application of Manure on Herbage Yield, Quality and Wintering Ability during Cropping of Dwarf Napiergrass with Italian Ryegrass in Hilly Southern Kyushu, Japan

et al. 2018

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Abstract:The effects of two levels of manure application (184 and 275 kg N ha −1 year −1 ) on herbage yield, quality, and wintering ability during the cropping of a dwarf genotype of late-heading (DL) Napiergrass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach) oversown with Italian ryegrass (IR; Lolium multiflorum Lam.) were examined and compared with chemical fertilizer application (234 kg N ha −1 year −1 ) for 4 years to determine a sustainable and environmentally harmonized herbage production in a hilly area (340 m above sea level). No significant (p > 0.05) differences in growth attributes of plant height, tiller density, percentage of leaf blade, or dry matter yield appeared in either DL Napiergrass or IR among moderate levels (184-275 kg N ha −1 year −1 ) of manure and chemical fertilizer treatments. IR exhibited no significant detrimental effect on spring regrowth of DL Napiergrass, which showed a high wintering ability in all treatments. In vitro dry matter digestibility of DL Napiergrass tended to increase with increasing manure application, especially at the first defoliation in the first three years. Manure application improved soil chemical properties and total nitrogen and carbon content. The results suggested that the lower rate of manure application of 184 kg nitrogen ha −1 year −1 would be suitable, which would be a good substitute for chemical fertilizer application with an equilibrium nitrogen budget for sustainable DL Napiergrass and IR cropping in the hilly region of southern Kyushu.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Repeated Application of Manure on Herbage Yield, Quality and Wintering Ability during Cropping of Dwarf Napiergrass with Italian Ryegrass in Hilly Southern Kyushu, Japan

et al. 2018

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“…, 1990) and Tanzania (Kabuga and Darko, 1993). Napier grass is also popular among dairy farmers as it produces a large quantity of leaves, which are utilized as a cut and carry system (Nyaata et al. , 2002; Mutegi et al.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…With appropriate management practices, Napier grass could provide a continual supply of green forage throughout the year so it suits small‐scale, intensive farming (Angima et al. , 2002; Nyaata et al. , 2002; Shem et al.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effect of defoliation frequency and cutting height on growth, dry‐matter yield and nutritive value of Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum (L.) Schumach)

Tessema

Mihret

Solomon

2010

Grass and Forage Science

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Growth characteristics, dry-matter (DM) yield, chemical components and in vitro dry-matter digestibility (IVDMD) of Napier grass were studied in a randomized complete block design with three replications at Haramaya University, Ethiopia. The treatments were three defoliation frequencies (60, 90 and 120 d after Napier grass establishment) and five cutting heights (5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 cm above ground level). Except for leaf-to-stem ratio, all growth characteristics increased with decreasing frequency of defoliation. Similarly, DM yield of Napier grass increased as the frequency of defoliation decreased. Total ash, crude protein (CP), hemicellulose and IVDMD contents of Napier grass increased with increasing frequency of defoliation, whereas DM, acid detergent fibre, acid detergent lignin and cellulose contents increased with a decrease in defoliation frequency. In contrast, cutting heights had no significant effect on most chemical components and IVDMD contents, although total ash and CP decreased as the height of cutting increased. The CP yield per cut and per day was highest at an intermediate defoliation frequency. The results of this study indicated that Napier grass could be categorized under medium-to high-quality herbage if defoliated at 90 d after establishment in the mid and highlands of Ethiopia.

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“…Napier grass was the main forage grown by over 70 % of smallholder farmers in both dairy systems especially to animals that were confined in stalls and fed mainly fed by cut-and-carry system (Orodho, 2005). This is credited to Napier grass being a high yielding forage producing dry matter yields that exceed most tropical grasses (Nyaata et al, 2002). While during the dry season, additional sources of feed that include silage and hay with 25% in rural dairy system and 59% in peri-urban dairy system were administered.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Association of on-farm feeds handling practices with fungal growth and Mycotoxin production on feeds in smallholder dairy farms, Nakuru, Kenya

Mwende¹,

Wafula²,

Simiyu³

et al. 2016

Afr. J. Agric. Res.

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Practices used by smallholder dairy farmers for handling of feeds at the farm pose a risk of mycotoxins to dairy animals and dairy products, hence a public health concern. The aim of the study was to document the on-farm practices of handling feeds used by these farmers and how they influence the growth of mycotoxin producing fungi together with prevailing extrinsic conditions. Study involved the use of structured questionnaire for interview of smallholder dairy farmers (n=120) for on-farm feed handling practices and collection of feed samples (n=97) for microbial analysis of the mycotoxin producing molds. The fungi counts were interrelated with the feed handling practice and therefore a measure of its impact. Results found out that rural dairy system was characterized by practice of free range grazing unlike peri-urban system practice that had semi-intensive stall feeding. At the farm level, the type feeds storage facility and the type and condition of feeds were found to be significant risk factors (p<0.05) for infestation of mycotoxic fungi. Feed contamination on farm at the sub-value chains with mycotoxic fungi is primarily due to poor storage facilities exposing feed to environmental conditions that favors fungi growth.

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Harvesting Strategies for Improved Mixtures of Calliandra and Napier Grass in the Central Kenyan Highlands

Cited by 4 publications

References 12 publications

Effect of Repeated Application of Manure on Herbage Yield, Quality and Wintering Ability during Cropping of Dwarf Napiergrass with Italian Ryegrass in Hilly Southern Kyushu, Japan

Effect of Repeated Application of Manure on Herbage Yield, Quality and Wintering Ability during Cropping of Dwarf Napiergrass with Italian Ryegrass in Hilly Southern Kyushu, Japan

Effect of defoliation frequency and cutting height on growth, dry‐matter yield and nutritive value of Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum (L.) Schumach)

Association of on-farm feeds handling practices with fungal growth and Mycotoxin production on feeds in smallholder dairy farms, Nakuru, Kenya

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