Abstract

Four legumes, Lablab purpureus, Stylosanthes hamata, Centrosema pascuorum and Stylosanthes guyanensis and 4 grasses, Sorghum almum, Panicum maximum, Chloris gayana and Andropogon gayanuswere investigated in a 2-year study at Nsukka, derived savannah, Nigeria. The response of these species to cutting management (4 and 8-weekly intervals) was evaluated. Increasing the interval between harvests increased (P<0.05) plant height and percentage dry matter production in the grass and legume species. Cutting treatment did not influence the extent of legume cover; however, the extent of grass cover was increased (P<0.05) by 30% when the interval between harvests was increased from 4 to 8 weeks. Weed cover in the grass plots was depressed (P<0.05) by 21% with increased interval of cut from 4 to 8 weeks. The tallest (P<0.05) plants among the legumes were obtained in S. guianensis when cutting was done at the interval of 8 weeks. Harvesting the grasses at the interval of 8 weeks produced the tallest plants in A. gayanusin 2007. The highest (P<0.05) tiller number per meter square was produced in both years when A. gayanuswas harvested at 4-weekly interval. S. guyanensis and S. hamata suppressed (P<0.05) weed growth more than L. purpureus or C. pascuorum. Percentage dry matter production was lower (P<0.05) in L. purpureuscompared with the other legumes. Grass cover remained relatively high with P. maximum and A. gayanus.

Key words: Cutting frequency, forage species, seasonal yield, dry matter content.