EEFECT OF GRAZING AND BUSH BURNING ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF FIVE PASTURE SPEC1ES IN HUMID TROPICAL ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

Five pasture species, Andropogon gayanus (Gamba grass), Panicum maximum (Guinea grass), Penisetum purpureum (Elephant grass), Calopogonium mucunoides (Centro),Centrocema pubescens (Calopo) were used to determine the effect of grazing and bush Burning on their establishment The forage dry matter yield was monitored for two years. The result showed there were significant differences among the pastures species of the forage yields at various treatments (P<0.05). Penisetum purpureum recorded the highest forage yield particularly on the ungrazed burnt treatments. The grazed treatments in all the five pasture species had lower significant dry matter forage yield than the ungraded treatments (P<0.05). Bush burning significantly affected C.muconoides and P. maximum under grazing condition hut had no effect on the ungrazed three grass species. Methods of land preparation such as burning and clearing affected the level of crude protein. calcium, and phosphorus in the five pasture species.