Nutritive value of Pennisetum clandestinum based pastures in a sub-tropical environment

Abstract

The results of 45 sheep feeding experiments with kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum) based pastures are summarized. Mean values and the range of values for crude protein and normal acid fibre contents, dry matter, organic matter, and crude protein digestibilities and intake per kg liveweight0.75 are presented for the following pasture types : kikuyu, kikuyu plus nitrogenous fertilizer, Glycine wightii/kikuyu, Desmodium uncinatum/kikuyu and Vicia sativa/kikuyu. The relation between crude protein (CP) and crude protein digestibility, and CP and digestible crude protein for these five pasture types was established. Significant differences between pasture types are shown to exist and the importance of these differences discussed. A possible reason for differences in the relations found by previous workers is discussed.