Effect of Canopy Shade on the Agronomic and in-vitro Performance of Chloris gayana (Kunth).

Abstract

Chloris gayana was established under shade and in the open and the effect of shade on the agronomic and in-vitro performance of the grass were examined. Harvesting of the grass was carried out at twelve weeks and the weight of the biomass yield was observed to be higher under the sunlight with 895.0g and least in the shade with 48.70g. The harvested grass was analyzed for Chemical and Mineral Compositions. Soil sample was also analyzed for its organic matter (O.M), Organic Composition (O.C), Calcium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Nitrogen and PH.  Results show that CP, CF, EE, and ASH ranges from 7.89 – 11.12, 20.25- 23.81, 2.33- 10.66 and 10.76-11.37 under full sunlight and shade respectively. It is concluded that grasses can be planted under trees because they are capable of fixing Nitrogen to the soil thereby improving the forage quality and also provide shady haven for livestock during high ambient temperature when grasses are to be grazed by animals. The in vitro gas production characteristics were not significantly (P>0.05) different under sunlight and shade the highest value was obtained from T1 (3.00) and lowest for T4 (1.00). ME and OMD show significant difference between T1, T2, T3 and T4 while SCFA for T1 and T2 were significantly different. However, T3 and T4 were not significantly (P>0.05) different from each other. The in-vitro gas production chart has the highest volume of gas produced in T1 at 24hr period of incubation.

Keywords: Canopy shade, Ruminant, In-vitro gas production, Chloris gayana.