Agricultural Research Management Information System

Home
Research Summary
Search
About Us
- ARMIS
- Brochure
Contact Us
Report
User Request
Data Input
Help
- Operation Manual
  - PDF
  - Video
- Program Area & Commodity
We have reached 37600 number of research entries at this moment.

- Logout

Research Detail

Home
Research
Detail

Biomass Yields, Morphological Characteristics and Nutritive Value of Perennial and Winter Fodder

N.R. Sarker
PSO
Animal Production Research Division BLRI,Savar,Dhaka-1341

M. K. Alam
Animal Production Research Division BLRI,Savar,Dhaka-1341

K.S. Huque
CSO
Animal Production Research Division BLRI,Savar,Dhaka-1341

M. K. Bashar
SO
Animal Production Research Division BLRI,Savar,Dhaka-1341

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

This study was conducted with the objectives to determine the suitable perennial and seasonal fodder species with higher biomass and nutritive value for small hoder dairy farmers of Bangladesh. To achieve the objectives, two experiments were conducted. Experiment 1, five Napier (Pennisetum purpureum var.) cultivars including one check (BLRI Napier- hybrid). Napier cultivars were grown under identical condition having plot size of 5 x 5 sq.m with 4 replications in each cultivar. Experiment 2, to identify the best fodder for winter season, four fodder species were selected i.e. triticale, oats, BMR Octene and Sugar graze and used as sole and in combination. There were 45 plots having 4 replications in each. In Exp. 1, it showed that, biomass yield was in the order of BLRI N.hybrid > MERKERON > BLRI Napier 4 > WRUK-WONA > Napier -Japan. The DM yield, CP yield, no. of tiller and plant height were also significantly differed (p<0.01) among the cultivars. The number of tiller per hill was significantly higher in WRUK-WONA and the lowest in Napier -Japan. The DM content in all cultivars was mostly similar but the DM (t/ha/cut) yield was significantly higher in BLRI N.hybrid and the lowest in Napier -Japan. Similarly, CP yield (t/ha/cut) was also significantly the highest in MERKERON and the lowest in BLRI N. Hybrid. The CP content was significantly higher (p<0.05) in MERKERON (14.43) and the lowest in BLRI N.hybrid (10.40). There was no significant difference in CP among BLRI N. hybrid, BLRI napier 4, Napier Japan and WRUK-WONA. The ADF content was higher in BLRI N.hybrid compared to other cultivars. The greater value of oxalate content was in BLRI-Napier 4 (0.82^a±.212) and the lower value was in Wruk-Wona (0.111^b±.012). Exp. 2, the mean of bio-mass yield of winter (sole) fodder were varied significantly (p<0.01) among the sole groups. The biomass yield of 50% oats + 50% sugargraze combination was significantly higher compared to other combinations. The CP content of winter fodder was significantly higher in Triticale (17.41^a±0.49) and the lowest in sugargraze (12.51^b±0.47). Therefore, considering biomass yield BLRI-N-Hybrid was better and in terms of crude protein content MARKERON showed better. In case of winter fodder, biomass and nutritive values of oats (sole) and/or combination of 50%oats+50% sugargraze are better than others.

Keywords: Biomass yield, Cultivars, Leaf-stem ratio, Plant height, Hills and cuttings, Napier

Location:

Start Date: 01-06-2012

End Date: 30-05-2013

Program Area: Variety and Species

Commodity: Fodder

Objectives:

1. To determine the biomass yield & nutritive value of different high yielding Napier cultivars; 2. To identify the morphological characteristics; 3. To determine the fodder quality in terms of leaf: stem ratio, CP and oxalate content & 4. To recommend a winter fodder for the cultivation of Napier grass.

Methodology:

1. Site of the experiment - The experiment was conducted at the Animal Research Station, Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI), Savar, Dhaka from 1st July 2012 to 30 June, 2013. The chemical analyses of Napier cultivars sample were done in the Animal Nutrition Laboratory of BLRI. 2. Cultivation Procedure of Napier cultivars ( Expt.1) - An agronomic trial was conducted with five Napier (Pennisetum purpureum var.) cultivars including one check ( BLRI Napier- hybrid) collected from Japan and Vietnum at the red soil Madhupur tract of Savar. The selected Napier cultivars were grown under identical condition having plot size of 5 x 5 sq.m with a 1-m border between plots and having 4 replications in each cultivar. Therefore, a total of 20 plots were made for this agronomical trial and each cultivar was placed in four plots at random. All the agronomical practices were step by step as per recommended practices developed by Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute. During land preparation fermented cow dung was applied @ of 35 kg/decimal. The cuttings were transplanted at 70 cm distance from line to line and 35 cm distance in row to row. Weeding and irrigation were done when necessary. During land preparation Phosphate (TSP) and MP fertilizer were applied @ 150 and 125 kg/ha respectively. Urea @ 50 kg was applied 20-30 days after transplanting followed by 50 kg urea was applied after 10-12 days of each cutting. Green fodder from each plot was harvested manually after 45 days of transplantation approximately 3-4 cm above ground. The biomass yield was determined in each plot and converted the yield in tons/ha. The representative samples from each plot was chopped 2-3 cm length for nutritive evaluation. Biomass yield of five Napier cultivars was measured by weighing the mass. Height and number of hill (/ha) and tiller number per hill was counted. Five (5)kg fodders from each cultivar were fractionated manually into three fractions namely leaf blade, leaf sheath and stem (DM basis). Measurements of DM yields were taken from whole plots. Morphological characteristics were determined by measuring the plant height and leaf characteristics from representative tillers. Plant growth habit was determined by measuring tiller number/stool, tiller length and thickness from average angle of growth. 3. Oxalate determination - The oxalate contents of three Napier cultivars, Napier silage and rice straw and feces samples were analyzed by titration. Chemical analysis - The proximate and other components of feed and fecal materials were done following the standard methods. Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) were estimated. The ME (MJ kg^-1 DM) was estimated using the equation DOMD (%) = 75.73-(0.269 × ADF%); ME (MJ kg^-1 DM) = DOMD (%) x 0.15. Statistical Analysis - Data were analyzed statistically by using Compare Means (CM) procedure of one-Way Analysis of variance (ANOVA): Post Hoc Multiple Comparisons of SPSS 11.5 for windows (SPSS Inc. 2002) following the method of Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD).

Source of Information: BLRI. Annual Research Review Workshop, 2012-13. BLRI, Savar, Dhaka.

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Biomass yield of BLRI-N-Hybrid and crude protein content of Mark Eron cultivar was found higher compared to other napier cultivars. While in winter fodder, the bio-mass and nutritive values of oats in sole and/or combination (50%oats+50% sugargraze) are better than others. Further, intake and digestibility studies in animals are needed to achieve final conclusion.

Knowledge Management: Report/Proceedings