EFFECT OF PIG MANURE RATES, PLANTING METHODS AND HARVESTING STAGES ON PRODUCTIVITY OF Panicum maximum AND PERFORMANCE OF GROWING RED SOKOTO BUCKS
EFFECT OF PIG MANURE RATES, PLANTING METHODS AND HARVESTING STAGES ON PRODUCTIVITY OF Panicum maximum AND PERFORMANCE OF GROWING RED SOKOTO BUCKS
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Date
2021-03
Authors
IDOWU, Waheed
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Abstract
This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of pig manure rates, planting methods and
stages of harvest on productivity of Panicum maximum and performance of growing Red Sokoto
bucks fed Panicum maximumat the experimental field of the Feeds and Nutrition Research
Programme, National Animal Production Research Institute, Shika, Zaria and the Teaching and
Research farm, Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ahmadu Bello
University, Zaria. Two trials were conducted, trial I was agronomic studies that was laid in split
plot (4 × 2 × 3) factorial arrangement replicated three times in RCBD. They were pig manure
application (0, 5, 10 and 15t/ha), two planting methods (Drilling and broadcasting), and three
stages harvest (6, 9 and 12 WAP). Data were collected on morphometrics, fresh and dry matter
yield (t/ha) and proximate composition. Trial II was evaluation of growth performance, nutrient
digestibility, nitrogen balance and economics of growing Red Sokoto Bucks fed 50:50
Concentrate/Digitaria smutsii hay (C:D), 75:25 concentrate/Panicum maximumhay(C:P), (50:50)
C:P and (25:75) C:P for 90 days at 3% Bwt. Twelve bucks weighing 10.5±0.5kg were used with
3 replicate bucks/treatment in a CRD. Yield and proximate composition were determined at 6, 9
and 12 weeks after planting. Results from trial I showed Stand count (36/m2), Plant height
(212.82cm), and leaf area index (3.91) were significantly (P<0.05) affected by manure rates at
10t/ha. Stages of harvest had significant (P<0.05) effect on all the agronomic indices measured
with 9th week after planting having the best performance of all the agronomic parameters. The
fresh forage yield (65.22t/ha) was affected (P<0.05) by manure rates at 10t/ha. Harvesting stages
had significant (P<0.05) effect on both the fresh (88.83t/ha) and dry matter yield (26.14t/ha) of
P.maximumat 12th week of harvest. All the parameters of proximate composition were affected
(P<0.05) by manure rates with CP of (12.62%). Harvesting stage had significant effect (P<0.05)
on all the proximate composition of the forage with DM% (93.79) at week 9 and 13% CP at
week 6 of harvesting. The interaction between the three factors showed significant (P<0.05)
effects on the proximate composition of the P.maximum. Conclusively, application of pig
manure to P.maximum under drilling method at the rate of 10t/ha gave a higher nutritional
quality at week 9 and better forage yield at week 12. Results from trial II showed that ADWG
(34.13g/day) and FCR (11.52 kg DMI/kg gain) were significantly (P<0.05) higher in bucks fed
(50:50) C:P mixture. Also, digestibility coefficient of DM (75.01%), CP (79.52%), and other
nutrients were significantly higher in bucks fed (50:50) C:P mixture. The nitrogen retained as %
intake was significantly higher (57.33%) in bucks fed C:P mixture (75:25). It was therefore
concluded from this study that 50% concentrate mixed with 50% Panicum maximum hay
recorded a better result in terms of growth performance and nutrient digestibility of growing Red
Sokoto bucks, thus, 50:50 concentrate/Panicum maximum is recommended for better growth
performance and nutrient digestibility of growing Red Sokoto Bucks.
Description
A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES,
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA, NIGERIA, IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT
OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE
IN ANIMAL SCIENCE
DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL SCIENCE,
FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE,
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY,
ZARIA
Keywords
PIG MANURE RATES,, PLANTING METHODS,, HARVESTING STAGES,, PRODUCTIVITY OF Panicum maximum,, PERFORMANCE OF GROWING RED SOKOTO BUCKS