Evaluation of Improved Napier Cultivars as Livestock Feed Under Farmers Conditions in West Hararghe Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Tamrat Dinkale; Tessema Zewdu; Meseret Girma

doi:doi:10.11648/j.avs.20210901.12

| Peer-Reviewed

Evaluation of Improved Napier Cultivars as Livestock Feed Under Farmers Conditions in West Hararghe Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Tamrat Dinkale, Tessema Zewdu, Meseret Girma

Published in Animal and Veterinary Sciences (Volume 9, Issue 1)

Received: 6 November 2020 Accepted: 16 December 2020 Published: 30 January 2021

Views: Downloads:

Download PDF

Share This Article

Twitter
Linked In
Facebook

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the forage production and farmers preference as livestock feed under farmer’s conditions in West Hararghe Zone of Oromia region, Ethiopia. Four improved Napier grass cultivars (ILRI cultivar number: 16801, 16800, 16798, and 16840) and local check were planted in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with six replications during the main cropping season of 2018/19. The dry matter (DM) yield, fresh biomass yield, plant height, leaf length and leaf-stem ratio and other agronomic data were measured at harvest. Farmers preference of the Napier grass cultivars as livestock feed was collected through visual and hand evaluation of the multiple ranking criteria of the cultivars based on phonological nature. The results shows that, ILRI cultivar no. 16800 was higher (P<0.01) in the leaf to stem ratio than other Napier grass cultivars tested under farmers conditions. Similarly, ILRI cultivar 16800 was higher in DM yield and fresh biomass yield (P<0.05; 16.6 t/ha and 99.40 t/ha) respectively than ILRI cultivar 16798 (11.65 t/ha and 64.53 t/ha) respectively, but similar with other cultivars. According to the farmer's and developmental agent (DA) preferences, ILRI cultivar No. 16800 scored highest (4.56) followed by ILRI cultivar No. 16840 (4.00) and ILRI cultivar No. 16801 (3.89). The lowest score was given to ILRI cultivar No. 16798 (3.11) followed by local check (3.67). The results indicated that all Napier grass cultivars was ranked beyond good performance score (>3), as an indicator for livestock feed. From this study, it is concluded that Napier grass cultivars No. 16800, 16840 and 16801 were found promising in terms of agronomic traits, DM yield and fresh biomass yield than others during main rainy season (July to September) that needs further evaluation during dry season to demonstrated and popularized as an alternative feed resources under smallholder conditions in the study areas and other places of east and West Hararghe zones of Oromia region with similar climatic and edaphic conditions.

Published in	Animal and Veterinary Sciences (Volume 9, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.avs.20210901.12
Page(s)	5-15
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Dry Matter Yield, Fresh Biomass Yield, Local, Preference

References

[1]	Abdi Etafa, Kemal Kasim, Yassin Esmael and Muleta Debela (2013). Cattle production in west hararghe: an opportunity and constraints assessments in Darolabu, Oda bultum, Gemechis and Chiro districts, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. International Journal of Livestock Production Research, 1: 01-15.
[2]	Alemayehu Mengistu, Gezahagn Kebede, Getnet Assefa and Fekede Feyissa (2016). Improved forage crops production strategies in Ethiopia: A review. Academic Research Journal of Agricultural Science Research, 4 (6): 285-296.
[3]	Alemayehu Mengistu (2004). Pasture and forage resource profiles of Ethiopia. EDM printing Press, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
[4]	Aleme Asresie and Lemma Zemedu (2015). The contribution of livestock sector in Ethiopian economy. A Review. Advances in Life Science and Technology, 29, 79-90.
[5]	Asfaw Negassa, Rashid S, and Berhanu Gebremedhin (2011). Livestock Production and Marketing. Development Strategy and Governance Division, International Food Policy Research Institute–Ethiopia Strategy Support Program II, Ethiopia. ESSP II.
[6]	Behnke RH and Fetaweke Metaferia (2011). The contribution of livestock to the Ethiopian economy–Part II.
[7]	CSA (Central Statistical Agency) (2014). Agricultural Sample Survey 2014/2015 (2007 E. C.). Report On Land Utilization (Private Peasant Holdings, Meher Season). Statistical Bulletin 578, IV, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
[8]	CSA (Central Statistical Agency) (2016). Agricultural Sample Survey. Report on Livestock and Livestock Characteristics (Private peasant holdings). Statistical Bulletin 583. Central Statistical Agency Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa.
[9]	CSA (Central Statistical Agency) (2017). Agricultural Sample Survey 2016/17 (2009 E. C.) Volume II. Report on Livestock and Livestock Characteristics (Private Peasant Holdings). CSA, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 2: 585.
[10]	Deribe Gemiyo, Addisu Jimma and Shewangizew Wolde (2017). Biomass Yield and Nutritive Value of Ten Napier Grass (Pennisetum purpureum) Accessions at Areka, Southern Ethiopia. World Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 13 (5): 185-190.
[11]	Ekemini EO, AkenOva ME and Godfrey AI (2012). Forage potentials of interspecific hybrids between elephant grass selections and cul-tivated pearl millet genotypes of Nigerian origin. Journal of Plant Breeding and Crop Science, 4 (9): 136-143.
[12]	Fekede Gemechu, Kinde Lemessa, Tadesse Melka, Birmaduma Gadisa, Shimalis Dekeba and Asfaw Zewdu (2016). Effect of Climate Change on Agricultural Production and Community Response in Daro Lebu and Mieso District, West Hararghe Zone, Oromia Region National State, Ethiopia. Journal of Natural Sciences Research, 6: 30-36.
[13]	Fekede Gemechu, Mideksa Babu and Asfaw Zewdu (2018). On-Farm Demonstration of Improved Varieties of Faba bean (Vicia fabaL.) in Gemechis, Chiro and Tullo Districts of West Hararghe Zone, Oromia National Regional State of Ethiopia. Journal of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, 10 (9): 186-191.
[14]	Fikadu Beyene and Asfaw Zewdu (2017). Factors Affecting Smallholder Farmers Participation in Rehabilitating Degraded Forest. The case of Gemachis District, West Hararghe Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia (Doctoral dissertation, Haramaya University).
[15]	Francis, J. K. (2004). Wildland shrubs of the United States and its territories: Thamnic descriptions, Volume 1. Gen. Tech. Rep. IITF-GTR-26. San Juan, PR: US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, International Institute of Tropical Forestry; Fort Collins, CO: US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 830, p. 26.
[16]	GDoANRO (Gemachis District of Agriculture and Natural Resource Office) (2016). Unpublished Report of Office, Kuni, West Hararaghe Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia.
[17]	Getahun Yakob, Abiy Gebremicheal, Andualem Aklilu and Ermias Melaku (2015). Participatory evaluation of different multipurpose grass species for graded soil bund stabilization in Gimbo district, South West Ethiopia. Open Access Library Journal, 2 (e1627).
[18]	Getnet Aseffa (2003). Feed resource development and utilization: possible options and recommendations under Ethiopian condition. Training handout prepared for agricultural subject matter specialist, Holeta Agricultural Research Center, Holeta, Ethiopia, pp: 18.
[19]	Gezahagn Kebede, Fekede Feyissa, Getnet Assefa, Mengistu Alemayehu, Alemayehu Mengistu, Aemiro Kehaliew, Kassahun Melese, Solomon Mengistu, Estifanos Tadesse, Shewangizaw Wolde and Mergia Abera (2017). Agronomic performance, dry matter yield stability and herbage quality of Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum (L.) Schumach) accessions in different agro-ecological zones of Ethiopia. Journal of Agricultural and Crop Research, 5 (4): 49-65.
[20]	Gezahagn Kebede, Fekede Feyissa, Getnet Assefa, Mengistu Alemayehu, Alemayehu Mengistu, Aemiro Kehaliew, Kassahun Melese, Solomon Mengistu, Estifanos Tadesse, ShewangizawWolde and Mergia (2016). Evaluation of Napier Grass (Pennisetum purpureum (L.) Schumach) Accessions for Agronomic Traits under Different Environmental Conditions of Ethiopia. International Journal of Advanced Research. 4 (4): 1029-1035.
[21]	Gosa Alemu (2016). Characterization and analysis of farming system in Chiro, West Hararghe Zone. Journal of Natural Science Research. 6, pp. 19. Mechara Agriculture Research Center, Mechara, Ethiopia. Journal of Natural Sciences Research, (6) 19: 2224-3186.
[22]	Halim RA, Shampazuraini S and Idris AB (2013). Yield and nutritive quality of nine Napier grass varieties in Malaysia. Malaysian Journal of Animal Science, 16 (2): 37-44.
[23]	Kafle G and Balla M. K (2008). Effectiveness of Root System of Grasses Used in Soil Conservation in Paundi Khola Sub Watershed of Lamjung District, Nepal. The Initiation, 2 (1): 121-129.
[24]	kumela Lelisa and Tulu D (2016). A study on Major Gastro-Intestine Helmenths Parasites of cattle in Tulo District, West Hararghe Zone, South-Eastern Ethiopia. Journal of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, 10 (7): 165-172.
[25]	Mdziniso MP (2012). Effect of carbohydrate sources on fermentative characteristics and chemical composition of Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) SilageMSc (Animal Science) thesis, University of Swaziland, Swaziland.
[26]	Muleta Debela, Getachew Animut and Mitiku Eshetu (2017). Assessment of Feed Resources Availability and Utilization in Daro Labu district, Western Hararghe Zone. Journal of Natural Sciences Research 7 (13): 2224-3186.
[27]	Muluken Shiferaw, Bimrew Asmare, Firew Tegegne and Dessaalegn Molla (2018). Farmers perception and utilization status of improved forages grown in the natural resource areas of northwestern Ethiopia. Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity, 19 (4): 1568-1578.
[28]	Nyambati EM, Muyekho FN, Onginjo E and Lusweti CM (2010). Production, characterization and nutritional quality of napier grass [Pennisetum purpureum (Schum.)] cultivars in Western Kenya. African Journal of Plant Science, 4 (12): 496-502.
[29]	Orodho AB (2006). The role and importance of Napier grass in the smallholder dairy industry in Kenya. Food and Agriculture Organization, Rome) Retrieved August, 24, 2011.
[30]	Shapiro BI, Getachew Gebru, Soloman Desta, Asfaw Negassa, Kidus Nigussie, Gezahegn Aboset and Henok Mechale (2017). Ethiopia livestock sector analysis. ILRI Project Report. Nairobi, Kenya: International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI).
[31]	Tamrat Sinore, Endalikachew Kissi and Abebayew Aticho (2018). The effects of biological soil conservation practices and community perception toward these practices in the Lemo District of Southern Ethiopia. International Soil and Water Conservation Research, 6 (2): 123-130.
[32]	Taye Bayble, Solomon Melaku and Prasad NK (2007). Effects of cutting dates on nutritive value of Napier (Pennisetum purpureum) grass planted sole and in association with Desmodium (Desmodium intortum) or Lablab (Lablab purpureus). Livestock Research for Rural Development, 19 (1): 120-136.
[33]	Tessema Zewdu and Alemayehu Mengistu (2010). Management of napier grass (Pennisetum Purpureum (L.) Schumach) for high yield and nutritional quality in Ethiopia: A Review. Ethiopian Journal of Animal Production, 10 (1): 73-94.
[34]	Tessema Zewdu, Ashagre A and Solomon M (2010b). Botanical composition, yield and nutritional quality of grassland in relation to stages of harvesting and fertiliser application in the highlands of Ethiopia. African Journal of Range & Forage Science, 27 (3): 117-124.
[35]	Tessema Zewdu, Baars RMT and AlemuYami (2003). Effect of plant height at cutting and fertiliser on growth of Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach.). Tropical Science 43: 57-61.
[36]	Tessema Zewdu, Mihret J and Solomon Melaku (2010a). Effect of defoliation frequency and cutting height on growth, dry‐matter yield and nutritive value of Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum (L.) Schumach). Grass and forage science, 65 (4): 421-430.
[37]	Tessema Zewdu (2008). Effect of plant density on morphological characteristics, yield and chemical composition of napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum (L.) Schumach). East African Journal of Sciences, 2 (1): 55-61.
[38]	Van De Wouw M, Hanson J and Leuthi S (1999). Morphological and argonomic characterisation of a collection of napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) and P. purpureum x P. glaucum. Tropical grasslands, 33 (3): 150-158.
[39]	Wangchuk K, Rai K, Nirola H, Dendup C and Mongar D (2015). Forage growth, yield and quality responses of Napier hybrid grass cultivars to three cutting intervals in the Himalayan foothills. Tropical Grasslands-Forrajes Tropicales, 3 (3): 142-150.
[40]	Zailan, M. Z., Yaakub, H. and Jusoh, S. 2018. Yield and nutritive quality of Napier (Pennisetum purpureum) cultivars as fresh and ensiled fodder. Journal of Animal and Plant Science, 28: 63-72.
[41]	Zailan MZ, Yaakub H and Jusoh S (2016). Yield and nutritive value of four Napier (Pennisetum purpureum) cultivars at different harvesting ages. Agricultural. Biol. JN Am, 7 (5): 213-219.
[42]	Zenebe Adimassu, Bezaye Gorfu, Demeke Nigussie, Mowo J and Kidist Hilemichael (2013). Farmers Preference for Soil and Water Conservation Practices in Central Highlands of Ethiopia. African Crop Science Journal, (21) 781-790.
[43]	Birmaduma Gadisa, Tamrat Dinkale and Muleta Debela. 2019. Adaptation trial of Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum) varieties for fodder production at Mechara Research Center, on station in west Hararghe, Oromia, unpuplished.
[44]	Ansah, T., Osafo, E. L. K. and Hansen, H. H. 2010. Herbage yield and chemical composition of four varieties of Napier grass (Pennisetumpurpureum) grass harvested at three different days after planting. Agriculture and Biology Journal of North America, 1 (5): 923-929.
[45]	Ohimain, E. I., Kendabie, P. and Nwachukwu, R. E. 2014. Bioenergy potentials of elephant grass, Pennisetum purpureum Schumach. Annual Research and Review in Biology, 4 (13): 2215.
[46]	Muyekho, F. 2015. Napier grass feed resource: Production, constraints and implications for smallholder farmers in East and Central Africa.
[47]	Mwendia, S. W., Mwangi, D. M., Wahome, R. G., and Wanyoike, M. 2008. Assessment of growth rate and yields of three Napier grass varieties in Central Highlands of Kenya. East African Agricultural and Forestry Journal, 74 (3): 211-217.
[48]	Rambau, M. D., Fushai, F. and Baloyi, J. J. 2016. Productivity, chemical composition and ruminal degradability of irrigated Napier grass leaves harvested at three stages of maturity. South African Journal of Animal Science, 46 (4): 398-408.
[49]	FAO (Food and Agricultural Organization of United Nation) 2015. Grassland Index. A searchable catalogue of grass and forage legumes. FOA, Rome, Italy.
[50]	Alemayehu Teressa, Abel Teshome, Alok Kumar, Hanson, J., and Jones, C. 2017. Opportunities for Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) improvement using molecular genetics. Agronomy, 7 (2): 28.

Cite This Article

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Tamrat Dinkale, Tessema Zewdu, Meseret Girma. (2021). Evaluation of Improved Napier Cultivars as Livestock Feed Under Farmers Conditions in West Hararghe Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Animal and Veterinary Sciences, 9(1), 5-15. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.avs.20210901.12

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Tamrat Dinkale; Tessema Zewdu; Meseret Girma. Evaluation of Improved Napier Cultivars as Livestock Feed Under Farmers Conditions in West Hararghe Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Anim. Vet. Sci. 2021, 9(1), 5-15. doi: 10.11648/j.avs.20210901.12

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Tamrat Dinkale, Tessema Zewdu, Meseret Girma. Evaluation of Improved Napier Cultivars as Livestock Feed Under Farmers Conditions in West Hararghe Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Anim Vet Sci. 2021;9(1):5-15. doi: 10.11648/j.avs.20210901.12

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.avs.20210901.12,
  author = {Tamrat Dinkale and Tessema Zewdu and Meseret Girma},
  title = {Evaluation of Improved Napier Cultivars as Livestock Feed Under Farmers Conditions in West Hararghe Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia},
  journal = {Animal and Veterinary Sciences},
  volume = {9},
  number = {1},
  pages = {5-15},
  doi = {10.11648/j.avs.20210901.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.avs.20210901.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.avs.20210901.12},
  abstract = {This study was conducted to evaluate the forage production and farmers preference as livestock feed under farmer’s conditions in West Hararghe Zone of Oromia region, Ethiopia. Four improved Napier grass cultivars (ILRI cultivar number: 16801, 16800, 16798, and 16840) and local check were planted in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with six replications during the main cropping season of 2018/19. The dry matter (DM) yield, fresh biomass yield, plant height, leaf length and leaf-stem ratio and other agronomic data were measured at harvest. Farmers preference of the Napier grass cultivars as livestock feed was collected through visual and hand evaluation of the multiple ranking criteria of the cultivars based on phonological nature. The results shows that, ILRI cultivar no. 16800 was higher (P3), as an indicator for livestock feed. From this study, it is concluded that Napier grass cultivars No. 16800, 16840 and 16801 were found promising in terms of agronomic traits, DM yield and fresh biomass yield than others during main rainy season (July to September) that needs further evaluation during dry season to demonstrated and popularized as an alternative feed resources under smallholder conditions in the study areas and other places of east and West Hararghe zones of Oromia region with similar climatic and edaphic conditions.},
 year = {2021}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Evaluation of Improved Napier Cultivars as Livestock Feed Under Farmers Conditions in West Hararghe Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia
AU  - Tamrat Dinkale
AU  - Tessema Zewdu
AU  - Meseret Girma
Y1  - 2021/01/30
PY  - 2021
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.avs.20210901.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.avs.20210901.12
T2  - Animal and Veterinary Sciences
JF  - Animal and Veterinary Sciences
JO  - Animal and Veterinary Sciences
SP  - 5
EP  - 15
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-5850
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.avs.20210901.12
AB  - This study was conducted to evaluate the forage production and farmers preference as livestock feed under farmer’s conditions in West Hararghe Zone of Oromia region, Ethiopia. Four improved Napier grass cultivars (ILRI cultivar number: 16801, 16800, 16798, and 16840) and local check were planted in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with six replications during the main cropping season of 2018/19. The dry matter (DM) yield, fresh biomass yield, plant height, leaf length and leaf-stem ratio and other agronomic data were measured at harvest. Farmers preference of the Napier grass cultivars as livestock feed was collected through visual and hand evaluation of the multiple ranking criteria of the cultivars based on phonological nature. The results shows that, ILRI cultivar no. 16800 was higher (P3), as an indicator for livestock feed. From this study, it is concluded that Napier grass cultivars No. 16800, 16840 and 16801 were found promising in terms of agronomic traits, DM yield and fresh biomass yield than others during main rainy season (July to September) that needs further evaluation during dry season to demonstrated and popularized as an alternative feed resources under smallholder conditions in the study areas and other places of east and West Hararghe zones of Oromia region with similar climatic and edaphic conditions.
VL  - 9
IS  - 1
ER  -

Copy | Download

Author Information

Tamrat Dinkale

Oromia Agricultural Research Institute, Mechara Agricultural Research Center, Mechara, Ethiopia
Tessema Zewdu

Department of Animal Sciences and Range, Haramaya University, Dire Dewa, Ethiopia
Meseret Girma

Department of Animal Sciences and Range, Haramaya University, Dire Dewa, Ethiopia

Download PDF

Sections

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Tamrat Dinkale, Tessema Zewdu, Meseret Girma. (2021). Evaluation of Improved Napier Cultivars as Livestock Feed Under Farmers Conditions in West Hararghe Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Animal and Veterinary Sciences, 9(1), 5-15. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.avs.20210901.12

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Tamrat Dinkale; Tessema Zewdu; Meseret Girma. Evaluation of Improved Napier Cultivars as Livestock Feed Under Farmers Conditions in West Hararghe Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Anim. Vet. Sci. 2021, 9(1), 5-15. doi: 10.11648/j.avs.20210901.12

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Tamrat Dinkale, Tessema Zewdu, Meseret Girma. Evaluation of Improved Napier Cultivars as Livestock Feed Under Farmers Conditions in West Hararghe Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Anim Vet Sci. 2021;9(1):5-15. doi: 10.11648/j.avs.20210901.12

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.avs.20210901.12,
  author = {Tamrat Dinkale and Tessema Zewdu and Meseret Girma},
  title = {Evaluation of Improved Napier Cultivars as Livestock Feed Under Farmers Conditions in West Hararghe Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia},
  journal = {Animal and Veterinary Sciences},
  volume = {9},
  number = {1},
  pages = {5-15},
  doi = {10.11648/j.avs.20210901.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.avs.20210901.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.avs.20210901.12},
  abstract = {This study was conducted to evaluate the forage production and farmers preference as livestock feed under farmer’s conditions in West Hararghe Zone of Oromia region, Ethiopia. Four improved Napier grass cultivars (ILRI cultivar number: 16801, 16800, 16798, and 16840) and local check were planted in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with six replications during the main cropping season of 2018/19. The dry matter (DM) yield, fresh biomass yield, plant height, leaf length and leaf-stem ratio and other agronomic data were measured at harvest. Farmers preference of the Napier grass cultivars as livestock feed was collected through visual and hand evaluation of the multiple ranking criteria of the cultivars based on phonological nature. The results shows that, ILRI cultivar no. 16800 was higher (P3), as an indicator for livestock feed. From this study, it is concluded that Napier grass cultivars No. 16800, 16840 and 16801 were found promising in terms of agronomic traits, DM yield and fresh biomass yield than others during main rainy season (July to September) that needs further evaluation during dry season to demonstrated and popularized as an alternative feed resources under smallholder conditions in the study areas and other places of east and West Hararghe zones of Oromia region with similar climatic and edaphic conditions.},
 year = {2021}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Evaluation of Improved Napier Cultivars as Livestock Feed Under Farmers Conditions in West Hararghe Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia
AU  - Tamrat Dinkale
AU  - Tessema Zewdu
AU  - Meseret Girma
Y1  - 2021/01/30
PY  - 2021
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.avs.20210901.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.avs.20210901.12
T2  - Animal and Veterinary Sciences
JF  - Animal and Veterinary Sciences
JO  - Animal and Veterinary Sciences
SP  - 5
EP  - 15
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-5850
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.avs.20210901.12
AB  - This study was conducted to evaluate the forage production and farmers preference as livestock feed under farmer’s conditions in West Hararghe Zone of Oromia region, Ethiopia. Four improved Napier grass cultivars (ILRI cultivar number: 16801, 16800, 16798, and 16840) and local check were planted in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with six replications during the main cropping season of 2018/19. The dry matter (DM) yield, fresh biomass yield, plant height, leaf length and leaf-stem ratio and other agronomic data were measured at harvest. Farmers preference of the Napier grass cultivars as livestock feed was collected through visual and hand evaluation of the multiple ranking criteria of the cultivars based on phonological nature. The results shows that, ILRI cultivar no. 16800 was higher (P3), as an indicator for livestock feed. From this study, it is concluded that Napier grass cultivars No. 16800, 16840 and 16801 were found promising in terms of agronomic traits, DM yield and fresh biomass yield than others during main rainy season (July to September) that needs further evaluation during dry season to demonstrated and popularized as an alternative feed resources under smallholder conditions in the study areas and other places of east and West Hararghe zones of Oromia region with similar climatic and edaphic conditions.
VL  - 9
IS  - 1
ER  -

Copy | Download