Proximate compositions of some forage grasses and legumes as influenced by season of harvest

Abstract

This study was conducted in Nsukka, Nigeria to evaluate the effect of season of harvest (rainy and dry seasons) on the proximate compositions of 5 legumes (Calapogonium mucunoides, Stylosanthes hamata cv.Verano, Centrosema pubescens, Pueraria phaseoloides and Stylosanthes guyanensis cv. Cook) and 5 grasses (Sorghum almum, Panicum maximum, Cynodon nlemfuensis, Pennisetum purpureum andAndropogon gayanus). The experiment was a 2 × 5 factorial laid out in completely randomized design (CRD). Among the grasses and the legumes, the concentrations of ash and crude protein (%CP) were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in rainy season than in dry season. The %fat in grass species was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in rainy season than in dry season. C. pubescens significantly produced the highest %CP compared with other legumes, while P. phaseoloides significantly (P < 0.05) had the least %CP value which was similar with that from S. hamata. C. mucunoides harvested in rainy season produced %CP that was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than the values obtained with C. pubescens, S. hamata, or P. phaseoloides in any season. P. maximum harvested in rainy season significantly (P < 0.05) had the highest %CP compared with other grasses in any season. P. purpureum harvested in rainy season significantly (P < 0.05) yielded the highest %ash compared with other grass species in any season, while A. gayanus harvested in rainy season significantly gave higher %fat and %crude fibre than other grasses.   Key words: Crude protein, %ash, %fat, crude fibre content, grasses, legumes, seasonal variation.