THE NUTRITIVE VALUE AND AGRONOMIC ASPECTS OF SOME FODDERS IN NORTHERN NIGERIA

Abstract

The results are presented of digestibility trials on silage samples made from the following materials: Andropogon gay anus, Chloris gayana (Rhodes grass), Hyparrhenia rufa (Jaragua grass), Panicum maximum (Guinea grass), Pennisetum pedicellatum, P. purpureum (Elephant grass). Sorghum vulgare (sorghum), Acanthospermum hispidum, Helianthus annuus (sunflower), Stizolobium sp. (velvet bean), Zea mays (maize) and mixtures of A. gayanus/P. pedicellatum, Arachis hypogoea (groundnut haulms)/ P, pedicellatum. Sorghum vtdgare/Stizolobium sp., Z. mays/Vigna sinensis (cowpea). The results obtained, also the agronomic aspects of the subject and the use of the materials as fodder for cattle during the dry season are discussed.