Seasonal production of Andropogon gayanus. I. Seasonal changes in yield components and chemical composition

Abstract

SUMMARYChanges in yield and quality of an Andropogon gayanus sward were traced throughout the 1964 wet season and part of the following dry season.Quality, in terms of crude-protein content, was highest at the beginning of the wet season, but yield increased to a maximum at the beginning of the dry season. Once flowering was completed in October, herbage quality fell to a very low level. It was concluded that the best time to cut for hay was in early October, at which time the crude-protein content showed a small but significant increase. Regrowth measurements taken in mid-November indicated the benefit of taking an early hay cut in July as a means of producing better quality hay at the end of the rains.During the early vegetative phase of growth leaf production was greater than stem production. Quality was high because the leaves contained a higher content of crudeprotein, calcium, phosphorus and carotene than the stems. During the reproductive stage of growth, comprising stem elongation in September culminating in anthesis in early October, quality was lower due to the high fibre content of the stems. The increase in crude-protein in early October, coincided with the expansion of new leaves on the flowering stems.It was concluded that throughout most of the latter part of the growing season A. gayanus did not provide adequate supplies of crude-protein, calcium and particularly phosphorus for normal cattle growth, especially after flowering was completed in late October.

Evaluation of biomass production and nutritive value of nine Panicum maximum ecotypes in Central region of Benin

“…Several studies have been conducted to test the effect of age of cutting on both yield and quality factors. Haggar (1970), Saleem (1972) and Omaliko (1980) commented that cutting frequency was the major factor that influenced the DM production and nitrogen concentration of P. maximum.…”

Influence of initial cutting date and cutting frequency on yield and quality of star, elephant and Guinea grasses

“…Other studies have shown the interval of harvesting to affect both herbage yield and quality (Oyenuga. 1959;I960;Haggar, 1970;Saleem, 1972). Generally, they showed that the more infrequent the cutting, the higher the DM yield, the proportion of stem and the crude fibre concentration.…”

Nutritional and Health Profiles of the Seasonal Changes in some Nutrients, Anti-nutrients and Mineral Contents of <i>Treculia africana food crop</i>

“…Evaluation of mineral elements dynamics showed that low content at early fruiting/seeding season reflected the excessive draw on minerals, followed by probable stabilization of the plant minerals pool at mid season fruiting and the marginal increases in mineral contents of seeds at late season. Previous studies on mineral elements of food crops attributed the values to variety and soil conditions Reports on the dynamics of mineral elements uptake by growing plants demonstrate complementary absorption patterns [3,6,9]. Magnesium, copper and iron are drawn for enzyme synthesis, chlorophyll formation and photosynthesis.…”

“…Quality parameters such as protein, oil carbohydrate, minerals and anti-nutritional factors are influenced by such factors as temperature, rainfall, sunshine, soil minerals etc [2]. Temperature effects on protein, carbohydrate and lipid formation in legumes are well documented [1,3]. However there appears to be some controversies on nutrients accumulation in grains during low temperature and high rainfall accompanying changes in climatic conditions [4,5].…”