Evaluation of Forage Grass Species for Dry Season Feeding and Soil Cover in Plateau State

This study evaluates forage grass species for dual-purpose dry season feeding and soil cover functions in Plateau State, North Central Nigeria. Plateau State's highland farming systems integrate crop and livestock enterprises where forage grasses provide critical dry season feed while simultaneously protecting soils from erosion and maintaining soil organic matter between cropping seasons. The absence of documented forage species performance data for Plateau State conditions limits evidence-based pasture management extension guidance. This study establishes a replicated forage evaluation trial at the National Veterinary Research Institute Vom using eight forage grass species: Panicum maximum, Brachiaria brizantha, Pennisetum purpureum, Andropogon gayanus, Stylosanthes hamata, Hyparrhenia rufa, Cynodon plectostachyus, and Digitaria smutsii. Each species is evaluated over two dry seasons for biomass yield, palatability, crude protein content, in vitro dry matter digestibility, soil cover percentage, and root density in the top 15 centimetres. Findings reveal that Brachiaria brizantha achieves the highest biomass yield of 18.4 tonnes per hectare dry matter with crude protein of 10.2 percent and exceptional soil cover, making it the most productive and protective option. Panicum maximum shows the highest palatability and digestibility but lower erosion protection. Andropogon gayanus demonstrates the most drought-tolerant establishment. The study concludes that Brachiaria brizantha is the priority forage species for integrated crop-livestock systems in Plateau State. It recommends differentiated forage species recommendations based on specific farm management objectives including feed quality versus erosion protection priority.

Keywords: forage grasses, Brachiaria brizantha, dry season feeding, soil cover, Plateau State.