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.