Author(s): Dorice L. Lutatenekwa*, Ephraim J. Mtengeti and George M. Msalya

Affiliation: *Department of Animal, Aquaculture and Range Sciences (DAARS), Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), PO Box 3004, Chuo Kikuu, Morogoro, Tanzania

Abstract: This study was conducted to assess the forage growth, yield and nutritional characteristics of five ecotypes of African foxtail (Cenchrus ciliaris) grown under the similar environmental condition at Magadu Dairy Farm (MDF), a facility of Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) in Morogoro, Tanzania. The ecotypes used in the study were collected from semi-arid areas of three districts namely Kiteto (Ologoraing’ok namelock and Ologoraing’ok twanga ecotypes), Mpwapwa (Nzingangata and Orupilipili ecotypes), and Kilolo (Iramata mtandika ecotype). Each ecotype was planted in a 12 m² plot with plants interspacing of 0.5 m, 1.5 m space between plots and three replications. Then 30 tussocks were randomly sampled per ecotype and their plant height, tiller number, inflorescence length, leaf length and leaf mid-width were recorded. The dry matter yield and Nutritional characteristics were analysed from the harvested above-ground biomass in two quadrats of one square metre per plot at the age of six weeks from standardization cut. The results indicated significant variation (p-value<0.05) among ecotypes on the studied characteristics. Orupilipili ecotype indicated higher mean values of plant height (93.8 cm), leaf area (25.8 cm²), inflorescence length (10.1 cm) and dry mater (10.35 tDMha^-1). Ologoraing’ok namelock had the lowest growth and yield characteristics except mean tiller numbers (197.3). The lowest-yielding ecotype indicated the highest percentage of Crude Protein (21.15), Acid Detergent Fibre (31.35) and ash content (16.91) but with the lowest Neutral Detergent fibre (55.89). Correlations were significant for all pairs of traits assessed. Discriminant tests suggested close relationship between Ologoraing’ok namelock and Ologoraing’ok twanga, Nzingangata and Iramata mtandika but each ecotype indicated a significant number (>46%) of unique individuals. This study recommends further study on the ecotypes when subjected to stresses such as defoliation, salinity and drought.

DOI: 10.22271/2582-3744.2021.dec.107

Pages: 107-112 | Views: 397 | Downloads: 323

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