Effect of Cutting Frequency on Forage Growth and Yield in Elephant Grass in the Southern Rainforest of Nigeria
Abstract
Pot experiment was conducted at Ndele, Rivers state, southern rainforest of Nigeria to determine the effect of cutting frequency on forage growth and yield in elephant grass, Pennisetum purpureum. The study was a single factor experiment of cutting intervals (5 days; 10 days; 15 days and 20 days) replicated 3 times, arranged in a randomized complete block design using replicates as blocks. Data collected were plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, forage fresh weight and dry weight. Results showed that cutting frequency significantly influenced plant height or growth rate, leaf area and number of leaves. Leaf area and number of leaves reduced with higher frequency or shorter interval of cutting. Grasses cut at 20 days interval recorded the greatest number of leaves and highest leaf area. Cutting frequency markedly affected forage fresh weight and dry matter production (dry weight) and there was noticeable forage yield reduction in grasses cut at 5 days interval (higher frequency) with progressive cuttings as against those cut at 20 days interval (low frequency). Grasses cut at 20 days interval recorded the highest growth and leaf production, the most forage fresh weight and dry matter yield. 20 days interval is hereby recommended for cutting Pennistum purpureum cutting or gracing in southern rainforest of Nigeria.
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Introduction
Elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach) is a popular, valuable and high yielding tropical grass that can survive in dry and wet growing conditions or in smallholder or large-scale production system (Rusdy, 2016). Though it derived its name from been the forage used to feed elephants in Africa (Cook et al., 2005), the high productivity of elephant grass has made it suitable for livestock grazing and also a major source of herbage in zero grazing, fed installs and the making of silage and hay (FAO, 2015).
In addition to factors such as grass species, soil quality and growing season, cutting frequency has been shown to influence forage characteristics like forage yield, chemical composition and nutritive value of herbage (Njarui and Wandera, 2004; Enoh et al., 2005). According to Ansa and Iyagba (1999), cutting frequency affects forage production, re-growth potential and species survival among other factors; the plants gets weak and thin out probably as a result of reduction in carbohydrate storage levels.
Cutting frequency studies have been carried out inmost grass species including Pennistum spp indifferent agro-ecological zones but, literature is scarce about such studies in the southern rainforest of Nigeria The objective of this study is therefore to determine the effects of cutting frequency on forage growth and yield of elephant grass in the southern rainforest zone of Nigeria.
Conclusion
Cutting frequency significantly influenced plant height or growth rate, leaf area and number of leaves. Leaf area and number of leaves increased by cutting frequency reduced. Pennisetum grasses cut 20 days interval in this study, recorded the greatest number of leaves and highest leaf area. Forage yield was markedly influenced by cutting frequency, grasses cut at shorter interval or higher frequency were increasingly recording less forage weight and dry matter weight while those cut at wider interval or shorter frequency had higher forage fresh weight and higher dry matter. Grasses cut at 20 days interval produced the highest fresh weight and dry matter yield. Cutting Pennisetum grasses at 20 days interval for the cut system or as grazing interval is recommended in the southern rainforest of Nigeria.
