English

Abstract

This study was conducted in Nsukka, Nigeria to evaluate the effect of season of harvest (rain and dry) on the anti-nutrient and mineral components of four herbaceous legumes (Calapogonium mucunoides, Centrosema pubescens, Stylosanthesguyanensis and Pueraria phaseoloides) and four forage grasses (Panicummaximum, Pennisetum purpureum, Cynodon nlemfuensis and Andropogongayanus). The grasses were analyzed separately from the legumes. A 2 × 4 factorial arrangement laid out in completely randomized design (CRD) was used. Species, season and their interaction significantly (P < 0.05) influenced the anti-nutrient and mineral concentrations in the forage grasses and legumes. The alkaloid, hydrogen cyanide (HCN), oxalate, phytate, saponin, tannin, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) contents of the grasses and legumes were significantly (P < 0.05) higher during the rainy than in the dry season. The concentrations of N, P and K varied significantly (P<0.05) among the legumes and between the grass species. C.mucunoides harvested during the rainy season significantly yielded higher percentage N compared with other legumes while P. phaseoloides harvested during the rainy season had higher concentration of K than other legumes in any season. P. maximum harvested during the rainy season significantly produced higher N content compared with other grasses in any season while P. purpureum harvested in the rainy season significantly gave higher percentage of K and P compared with other grass species in any season. Key words: Alkaloid, hydrogen cyanide, oxalate, saponin, tannin, minerals, grasses legumes, season.