Abstract
The effects of swine manure application and row spacing on dry matter yields of Cenchrus americanus (pearl millet) at 6 weeks after sowing and chemical composition, fermentative characteristics and in vitro gas production of silage produced from the forage were studied. The design was a 2 × 2 factorial with 2 row spacings (0.5 and1.0 m) and 2 levels of manure application [no manure (Control) and swine manure at 5 t/ha (22% DM; 0.34% N on DM basis)] replicated 3 times. Swine manure application had no effect (P>0.05) on dry matter yield but a row spacing of0.5 m produced higher (P<0.05) dry matter yields than 1.0 m spacing (mean 7.05 vs. 5.57 t DM/ha). Fresh forage from manured treatments had significantly higher crude protein concentration (114.9–124.2 g/kg DM) than from unfertilized plots (86.2–95.1 g/kg DM). After being ensiled for 42 days, CP% in the forage had declined by 16–18% but relative differences remained. Quality measurements indicated that silages from the various treatments were all of acceptable standard although CP% of silage from Control plots was barely high enough to provide a maintenance diet. This study suggests that, under the experimental conditions, planting of pearl millet at a spacing of0.5 m rather than 1.0 m would increase DM yields obtained in the first 6 weeks of growth, while application of swine manure would not affect yields but would increase CP% of forage produced. The laboratory study indicates that the forage produced could be ensiled successfully although there was significant loss of crude protein during the process. Since there were no significant increases in DM yields of forage, other benefits, e.g. increase in N concentration, improved soil organic matter, etc., would need to be considered in justifying the additional cost of drying and applying the manure.
Highlights
Forages are the primary diets for ruminants in many tropical regions and grasses constitute the bulk of the energy sources for grazing ruminants (Olanite et al 2010)
The effects of swine manure application and row spacing on dry matter yields of Cenchrus americanus at 6 weeks after sowing and chemical composition, fermentative characteristics and in vitro gas production of silage produced from the forage were studied
The present study investigated the effects on DM yields and nutritive value of the resulting forage of applying swine manure to a crop of pearl millet sown at 2 different row spacings, and quality of silage produced from the forage
Summary
Forages are the primary diets for ruminants in many tropical regions and grasses constitute the bulk of the energy sources for grazing ruminants (Olanite et al 2010). High-yielding forages of high quality are the most economical feed for ruminants and result in acceptable liveweight gains and animal performance. Prolonged annual dry seasons negatively affect plant performance, resulting in limited quantity and poor quality of available forage at this time, leading to a reduction in voluntary feed intake and nutrient utilization, with reduced overall performance of ruminant animals. Conservation and preservation of these cultivated species, combined with improved management practices, is a possible solution to the limitations posed by poor quality and quantity of native forages in the dry season (Ojo et al 2015b). Babayemi (2009) recommended the ensiling of forages, at a growth stage when there is a balance between yield and quality of the available crop, for feeding to animals during times of nutritional stress
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