Abstract
Ten Napier grass genotypes (accessions) were assessed across 3 locations, Bako, Boneya Boshe and Gute, for forage dry matter (DM) yield, crude protein (CP) concentration, leaf:stem ratio, nutrient composition and digestibility characteristics during 2016 and 2017. The genotypes were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with 3 replications. Mean DM yield was higher for accession ILRI 16804 across all locations followed by ILRI 16801 and ILRI 16800. Leaf:stem ratio, CP concentration and CP and digestible organic matter (OM) yields also varied significantly among genotypes with the highest values obtained for accession ILRI 16804 across all locations, followed by ILRI 16800 and ILRI 16801. Yields of DM, CP and digestible OM and leaf:stem ratio were higher at Boneya Boshe and Gute than at Bako and higher during 2017 than during 2016. The consistently superior performance of ILRI 16804, ILRI 16801 and ILRI 16800 in both years across the 3 sites suggests that these genotypes should be studied further on farms and in differing environments before being recommended for general cultivation in this area. Examining performance with more frequent harvests and feeding studies with livestock would confirm the benefits to be obtained from planting these new accessions.
Highlights
A major problem facing livestock producers in tropical countries is how to provide adequate nutrition for their animals (Muhammad 2016)
In Ethiopia, like other tropical countries, poor nutrition is a major constraint to livestock production in small-holder crop-livestock farming, especially during the dry season, when pastures and cereal residues are both limited in quantity and of low nutritional value (Tolera et al 2000)
Pennisetum purpureum) shows great potential to alleviate the problem because it is adaptable, vigorous and drought-tolerant and can produce high dry matter yields (Alemayehu 2002). It is a tall perennial grass, which is well adapted to elevations from sea level up to 2,000 m
Summary
A major problem facing livestock producers in tropical countries is how to provide adequate nutrition for their animals (Muhammad 2016). Pennisetum purpureum) shows great potential to alleviate the problem because it is adaptable, vigorous and drought-tolerant and can produce high dry matter yields (Alemayehu 2002). It is a tall perennial grass, which is well adapted to elevations from sea level up to 2,000 m. It is reported to be tolerant of drought and will grow in areas where the rainfall range is from 200 to 4,000 mm (FAO 2016) It is palatable and can be fed fresh as cut-and-carry forage and as hay or silage or directly grazed in the field (Alemayehu 2002; Getnet 2003). Testing of Napier grass genotypes for both qualitative and quantitative attributes under diverse environmental conditions in order to select superior genotypes for particular environments seems warranted
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