HERBAGE, GRAIN AND LEAF DRY MATTER YIELD OF SOME TROPICAL FORAGE LEGUMES IN THE SOUTHERN GUINEA SAVANNA OF NIGERIA

Abstract

The southern guinea savanna agro-ecological zone of Benue State is endowed with natural grassland dominated by un-improved forage species, mainly grasses. A two year study was therefore conducted at Makurdi, Southern Guinea Savanna Agro-ecological zone of Benue State, Nigeria to evaluate the adaptability and performance of ten (10) improved forage legume species obtained from National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI). Data collected include; fresh herbage yield, grain yield and leaf dry matter. The results showed significant (P<0.05) differences among the 10 forage legume species for fresh herbage yield, grain yield and dry matter yield. The Fresh herbage yield of the legume species in the field ranged from 15.85 t/ha to 216.16 t/ha for Leucaena leucocephala and Cajanus cajan. The grain yield in the field ranged from 0.81 t/ha for Leucaena leucocephala to 9.13 t/ha for Mucuna pruriens (white seeded). The leaf dry matter yield ranged from 0.37 t/ha for Leucaena leucocephala to 4.40 t/ha for Lablab purpureus. Generally, in the pot, mean values obtained were similar. In conclusion, the forage legume species under study have the ability to adapt, establish and yield favourably in the southern guinea savanna
zone of Nigeria.