Evaluation of nutritional potentials for Sugargraze and Columbus grass at different spacings in the raining season in Semi Arid, Nigeria

Abstract

The two experiments were conducted in; Binyaminu Usman Polytechnic, Hadejia (BUPOLY) and Federal University, Dutse (FUD) Teaching and Research Farms, during the year 2023 rainy season. They were designed in a Factorial Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) consisting of two factors; Forage sorghum cultivars (Sugargraze and Columbus grass) and planting spacing (10x30cm, 15x45cm and 25x75cm); which were combined and replicated four (4) times. There were significant (P<0.05) difference in the cultivars for Crude protein (CP), Crude fibre (CF), Ether extract (EE) and Ash in both locations, while Dry matter (DM) and Nitrogen free extract (NFE) were only significantly (P<0.05) at FUD farm. At the FUD farm, the proximate composition as influenced by spacing only showed significant (P<0.05) changes, whereas the BUPoly farm only showed significant (P<0.05) differences in Crude fiber, Ether extract, and Ash. Sugargraze produced the highest percentages of Crude protein (7.57 and 4.42%) and Nitrogen free extract (23.67 and 17.98%) with lowest percentages of Crude fiber (5.94 and 14.29%) and Ash (0.71 and 3.43%) at both research locations. Columbus grass produced highest %NDF and %HEM with the lowest %ADF and vice versa for Sugargraze. NDF, ADF, and HEM % were higher at a wider plant spacing (25 x 75 cm) than at a closer spacing (10 x 30 cm). There were no significant (P>0.05) variations in the Na content at BUPoly and P at FUD farms, respectively, there were significant (P<0.05) variations in the Ca, Mn, Fe, and Zn that were affected by spacing at both locations.