Growth and quality of tropical forages in a temperate climate

Abstract

Dry matter accumulation in maize, hybrid pennisetum and mid- and late-season pearl millet were assessed following planting in mid-summer at Camden, New South Wales. Productivity was high in maize and hybrid pennisetum, the maximum above-ground rate of dry matter accumulation averaging 590 kg ha-1 day-1 for 20 days for maize in March 1975. Productivity was lower in the pearl millets which lodged in April of 1975 and 1976. Organic matter digestibility was superior in maize, phosphorus concentrations were higher in hybrid pennisetum and magnesium and calcium concentrations were the same in hybrid pennisetum as in maize. The concentrations of minerals would be generally too low to maintain highly-productive livestock if they were fed exclusively on these tropical forages.