EFFECT OF HARVESTING STAGE ON AGRONOMIC TRAITS, HERBAGE YEILD AND NUTRITIVE VALUE OF SUDAN GRASS (Sorghum Sudanense L.), MIXED WITH LABLAB (Lablab purpureus l.) IN FAAFAN ZONE, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

This experiment was conducted with the objectives of determining the effect of harvesting stages on agronomic traits, herbage yield, chemical composition, In vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) and In vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) and In sacco rumen dry matter degradability of Sudan grass mixed with, Lablab in Faafan zone, Ethiopia. The study was executed using 3 x 3 factorial arrangements in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications in plot sizes of 3 cm length by 2 cm width. There were three stages of harvesting (60days, 90days and 120days) and planting with sole Sudan grass, sole Lablab and their mixtures were used, which make up nine treatments. Data on agronomic traits, biomass yield, chemical composition, IVDMD and IVOMD) and in Sacco degradability and degradability characteristics parameters were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using the general linear model (GLM) procedure of the statistical analysis system (SAS, 1999). According to the results of the agronomic traits analysis such as: PLHT, NTPP and DMY ton ha-1 were significantly (P< 0.01) different as the stage of harvesting increased, the highest DMY ton ha-1 were obtained from Sudan Grass at 120 days of harvesting stage. the DM content, NDF, ADF, ADL, Cellulose and Hemicellulose contents Significantly (P<0.01) increased as the harvesting stage increased while the total Ash, CP contents, IVDMD, IVOMD and ME Significantly (P< 0.01) decreased as the harvesting stage increased. In sacco DM degradability and degradability characteristics were highly significantly (P < 0.01) decreased as the harvesting stage increased and degradability characteristics were highly significantly (P< 0.01) increased as the incubation hours increased 0 hour up to 96 hours. In conclusion, results of this study revealed at 120 days harvesting, there was acceptable dry matter yield, chemical composition, digestibility and degradability of sole Sudan grass, sole Lablab and their mixtures. Therefore, it could be recommended 120 days at harvesting stage of sole Sudan grass, sole Lablab and their mixtures, since, the most effective harvesting stage of sole Sudan grass, sole Lablab and their mixtures at 120 days from establishment have seen to give higher yield and acceptable nutritive value. So that agro- pastoralists of Faafan zone could increase livestock production in particular and in general in the country