TY  - JOUR
T1  - Commercially Focused Forage Production from Columbus Grass and Centurion Grown Alone or in Mixtures in the Semi Arid Environment
AU - , I.R. Muhammad AU - , A. Mustapha AU - , B. Mohammed AU - , L.S. Abdurrahman AU - , M.Y. Ahmad 
JO  - Agricultural Journal
VL  - 4
IS  - 2
SP  - 91
EP  - 95
PY  - 2009
DA  - 2001/08/19
SN  - 1816-9155
DO  - aj.2009.91.95
UR  - https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?doi=aj.2009.91.95
KW  - Sorghum almum
KW  -Centrosema pascourum
KW  -mixed pasture
KW  -commercial pasture production
KW  -semi arid zone
AB  - An experiment was conducted to determine the component and summative yields of Columbus grass and Centurion species in Semi arid zone. The treatment combination were seed rate of 30 kg ha<SUP>-1</SUP> of <I>Sorghum almum</I>, 10 kg ha<SUP>-1</SUP> <I>Centrosema pascuorum</I> each representing 100% sole pasture and their mixtures in the ratios of 25% <I> S. almum</I>: 75% <I>C. pascuorum</I>, 50%<I> S. almum</I>: 50% <I>C. pascuorum</I> and 57%<I> S. almum</I>: 25% <I>C. pascourum </I>laid out in a complete randomized block design using plot size of 4x2 m. Pasture was sampled to monitor establishment and physiological development from 14 Days Post-Planting (DPP) and thereafter at 2 weeks interval up to full bloom stage. At full bloom stage forage was harvested to determine Dry Matter yield (DM). Results obtained showed stand counts of <I>Sorghum almum</I> statistically (p&lt;0.05) increased from day 14 and attained a maximum by 56 days. From 42 DPP and subsequently, mixture with 25 or 50% <I>C. pascourum</I> had higher (p&lt;0.05) stand counts relative to other treatments. Pasture height varied from 25.1-28.5 cm at 14 DPP. Thereafter, from 42 DPP, differences (p&lt;0.05) manifested up to 84 DPP amongst the treatments evaluated. The treatment with 25% <I>C. pascourum</I> had taller (p&lt;0.05) sward stand relative to other factors. Sward grown in mixture were comparable (p&gt;0.05) in fresh leaf (75-83%). Dry matter yield was significantly different (p&lt;0.05) in both component and cumulative yield. The mixture with 50% <I>C. pascourum</I> was statistically superior to all other treatments. Higher (p&lt;0.05) total DM yield was obtained with treatment that had 50%<I> S. almum</I> plus 50% <I>C. pascourum. </I>Cost-benefit analysis of production showed higher output and net benefit from the mixed pasture sward of 50% Columbus grass and 50% Centurion. Based on the results of the present study, commercial pasture production would be more economical from mixed pasture sward of 50% Columbus grass and 50% Centurion in the zone.
ER  -