N. R. Sarker
Animal Production Research Division, Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Savar, Dhaka 1341.
K. S. Huque
Animal Production Research Division, Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Savar, Dhaka 1341.
M. K. Alam
Animal Production Research Division, Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Savar, Dhaka 1341.
To determine the cutting effect on productivity and morphological characteristics of 4 Napier cultivars (Pennisetum purpureum var.) and one check were assessed as alternatives to current recommended ones in the different agro-ecological zones of Bangladesh for two growing seasons. Nutritional quality of all promising cultivars in terms of dry matter (DM) yield, tiller number, leaf and stem ratio, number of tiller/ha and plant height were determined. The results revealed that biomass yield and plant highest of all cultivars were significantly higher (p<0.05) compared to the 1st cut while on the other hand, number of tiller per leaf ratio revealed that the proportionate of stem compared to leaf was increased in the 2nd cut. The morphological characteristics such as stem and leaf ratio revealed that the proportionate of stem compared to leaf was increased in the 2nd cut for all cultivars compared to 1st cut. The leaf proportion was higher in BLRI- Napier hybrid and Napier Japan in the 1st cut (2:8; 3:7). Comparative nutritive evaluation between the 1st and 2nd cut exhibited that there were no significant (p<0.05) differences in DM content among BLRI-Napier hybrid, Napier Vietnum and Napier Japan but the differences were significant (p<0.05) between WURK-WONA and MERKERON. The ash content was significantly (p<0.05) among all cultivars in the 2nd cut compared to 1st cut. There was no significant (p<0.05) differences in ADF content between the 1st and 2nd cut among the cultivars except MERKERON. On the other hand, the CP content was significantly (p<0.05) lower in the 2nd cut compared to 1st cut among all the cultivars except Japanese hybrid. The calculated MF MJ/ kg DM content varied from 9.15 to 10.70 among the cultivars in the 1st cut but in 2nd cut ME MJ kg DM was little lower among all cultivars and there was significant differences between the cuts. The results of the present study revealed that the yield the biomass yield of different cultivars increased compared to the 1st cut but the CP content was little lower among all cultivars in the 2nd cut. Further, this study will be continued round the year to determine the seasonal variation and biomass yield in different cuts and also plan to investigate the feeding effect of these cultivars on production performances of dairy cows.
Cutting, biomass yield, morphological, nutritive value.
The information on the effects of cutting intervals on nutritive quality of high yielding fodder is scanty.
1. To determine herbage DM yields of the cultivars at different cutting intervals;
2. Determine the quality of the fodders in terms of leaf: stem ration and nutritive values of fodders at different cuttings intervals.
Agronomic trial: An agronomic trial was conducted with five Napier (Pennisetum purpureum var.) cultivars including one check (BLRI Napier-hybrid) collected from Japan and Vietnam at the red soil Madhupur tract of Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Research Farm, Savar, to determine the effects of cutting intervals biomass yield, morphological characteristics and botanical fractions, nutritive value of the cultivars. The fodder were grown under identical condition having plot size of 15 × 15 sq.m with 5 replications in each cultivar. A total of 25 plots were made for this trial and each cultivar was placed in five plots at random. Cow dung: 35 kg/decimal. The clinical fertilizer TSP and MP: 150:125 kg/ha. Urea: 50 kg/ 20-30 days after transplanting thirty five days of 1st cut and approximately 10-12 cm above ground. The fodder harvested biomass yield was determined in each plot and converted the yield in tons/ha. The representative samples from taken, chopped at approximately 2-3 cm length and send to laboratory 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 samples each of 5 kg fodders from each cultivar was divided 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
Chemical analysis: The proximate and other components of feed and fecal materials were done following the methods described by AOAC (1995). Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) were estimated by using the methods described by Goering and Van Soest (1970). Kjeldhal method was used for determining the nitrogen (N) content of feed, faeces and milk and the crude protein content were estimated as N×6.25. The ME (MJ kg-1 DM) was estimated according the Ketelaars and Tolkamp (1992) as follows: DOMD (%) = 75.73-(0.269 × ADF%); ME (MJ kg-1 DM) = DOMD (%) x 0.15.
Statistical analysis: An analysis of variance was done to determine the varietals differences. Collected 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).
Proceedings of Annual Research Review Workshop 2011-2012,
Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Savar, Dhaka 1341.
The results of the present study revealed that the biomass yield of different cultivars is in the subsequent cuts but the CP content is reduced among all cultivars in the 2nd cut. Where, as the ADF and NDF contents are slightly increased among all cultivars in the subsequent cuts with advancement in age. It is noted regarding the morphological characteristics the proportion of levels in compared to stem is also reduced in subsequent cuts. Further, this study will be continued round the year to determine the seasonal variation and biomass yield in different cuts and also plan to investigate the feeding effect of these cultivars on production performances on dairy cows. Future research should focus on screening the performance and the optimal stage of feeding of the high yielding cultivars in different agro-ecological zones.
Report/Proceedings