Abstract
Feeding standards of ruminant livestock could be significantly enhanced through the cultivation of improved quality forages which are suitable for different agroclimatic condition of the country. Therefore, a field experiment was carried out to assess the growth parameters, herbage yield and chemical composition of maize (Zea maize), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) moench), and hybrid Napier (Pennisetum perpureum X Pennisetum americarnum) in the northern region of Sri Lanka. The experiment was conducted during the period of December 2015 to June 2016 with three treatments consisted of maize (variety Pacific 984), sorghum (variety Sugargraze), and hybrid Napier (variety CO-3), each having three replicates under randomized complete block design. Growth parameters were measured at two week intervals up to the 8th week and the crops were harvested at the 10 th week after planting for making silage. Among the species, maize was superior (p
Highlights
Livestock production has been growing intensively in Sri Lanka aiming the achievement of the policy goal of production of sufficient animal protein with self-sufficiency in milk production
Many forage crops such as maize (Zea maize), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) moench), and hybrid Napier (Pennisetum perpureum X Pennisetum americarnum) variety CO-3 are grown by the farmers in the region
The growth parameters such as number of leaves per plant, plant height, and leaf length of maize, sorghum, and CO-3 are shown in Tables 1 to 3
Summary
Livestock production has been growing intensively in Sri Lanka aiming the achievement of the policy goal of production of sufficient animal protein with self-sufficiency in milk production. The main feed resources for ruminants in Sri Lanka are natural pasture and crop residues, which are low in quality and quantity for sustainable livestock production (Ibrahim et al, 1999) This results in low productivity of dairy animals of the country (Premaratne and Premalal, 2006). The agro-climatic condition of the northern region is suitable for growing good quality tropical forages. Many forage crops such as maize (Zea maize), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) moench), and hybrid Napier (Pennisetum perpureum X Pennisetum americarnum) variety CO-3 are grown by the farmers in the region. Along with high yielding potential and climatic adaptability, nutritional quality is a criterion for the selection of suitable fodder grasses by the farmers in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the growth, yield, and nutritional quality of fodder maize (Zea maize) variety Pacific 984, sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) moench) variety Sugargraze, and hybrid Napier (Pennisetum perpureum X Pennisetum americarnum) variety CO-3 in the northern region of Sri Lanka
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