Abstract
maximum were evaluated in central region of Benin with an average 1100 mm annual rainfall during 3 years for ley pasture without any fertiliser input. Three cutting regimes (3-10-3, 5-6-5 and 6-4-6-week) were tested for dry matter production (DM), crude protein (CP) content, CP production and mineral (Ca, Mg, P, K, Na, Zn, Mn, Cu and Co) contents. Significant differences were observed between ecotypes (p<0.001), cutting regimes (p<0.001) and years (p<0.001) for DM and CP production. Ecotype and cutting regime influenced significantly CP content (p<0.05) but year had no influence. Forage harvested from 310-3-week regime produced significantly (p<0.05) more DM (4742 kg DMha -1 ) than 5-6-5-week (3635 kg DMha -1 ) or 6-4-6-week cutting regime (3789 kg DMha -1 ). But the reverse effect was observed for CP content as 3-10-3-week regime (5.68 gkg -1 DM) had significantly (p<0.05) lower CP than those of 5-6-5
Highlights
In savanna region of West Africa, agriculture is facing increasing pressure as a result of continuing increases in both human and livestock populations
Despite that all ecotypes belong to the same species, high significant difference (p
The superior yield of Ecotype 4 at all harvest regimes may be a function of its better soil nutrients or water use (Pieterse et al, 1997)
Summary
In savanna region of West Africa, agriculture is facing increasing pressure as a result of continuing increases in both human and livestock populations. In this region, inadequate supply of feeds is a limiting factor to livestock production. Inadequate supply of feeds is a limiting factor to livestock production This situation is related to the dependence of livestock raising on naturally available feed resources and little development of forage crops for feeding to animals. One of the alternatives to improve livestock feeding, and productivity, could be the cultivation of productive nutritious forages to be offered during critical periods of the production cycle of animals when other sources of feeds are in short supply.
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