Herbage yield and quality of Lablab Purpureus during the late dry season in Western Nigeria

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the herbage yield and nutritional quality of Lablab purpureus during the peak of dry season in South Western Nigeria and to ascertain its capacity as dry season supplement for ruminant animals in that region. The experiment was carried out at the Livestock Research Farm, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta from May 2008 till March 2009. The 3 treatments consisted of 3 cutting periods replicated four times. The average CP content of lablab varied from 180 g.kg-1 DM to 220 g.kg-1 DM with the leaf fraction in March having the highest CP content of 220 g.kg-1 DM as a result of sudden rainfall. The highest (2745 kg/ha) yield was recorded in January while the least dry matter content was recorded in February. The ash and the ether extract content of lablab during the late dry season in South West Nigeria ranged from 50 g.kg-1 DM to 90 g.kg-1 DM and 55 to 80 g.kg-1 DM, respectively. The NDF, ADF and lignin content increased significantly (P<0.05) with advancing the harvesting stage with stem fraction higher (P<0.05) than that leaf fraction. The herbage yield and quality of L. purpureus in terms of its crude protein, fibre and minerals from this study shows that the appropriate time to harvest and use lablab as supplement to animal diet during the late dry season is January, which has the highest herbage yield and quality.