PIGEON PEA (CAJANUS CAJAN) FODDER CUTTING MANAGEMENT IN THE GUINEA SAVANNA AGRO-ECOLOGICAL ZONE OF GHANA

Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of cutting regime on biomass yield and nutrient composition of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L) Millsp.) fodder in the Guinea Savanna Agro-Ecological Zone of Ghana. Three cutting regimes (12, 16 and 20 Week After Planting [WAP]) in RCBD were imposed on Cajanus cajan at both initial establishment and regrowth. At each harvest, biomass yield was estimated after which samples of the fodder were separated into leaf and stem botanical fractions for chemical composition and in vitro digestibility. Cutting regime significantly affected plant height, number of branches and stem diameter in both the initial establishment and regrowth. Biomass yield was significantly affected by cutting regime in the initial establishment but not the regrowth. The biomass yield was highest in the harvest at 20WAP (6515kgDM/ha) while 12WAP (3175 kg/ha) recorded the lowest biomass yield in the initial establishment. All chemical composition parameters were significantly affected by cutting regime and botanical fractions except hemicellulose in the initial establishment. Cutting regime also significantly affected DM, CP and ash concentrations in the regrowth with botanical fraction significantly (P\ 0.05) influencing CP, NDF, ADF and ash. The highest CP was obtained in the leaf fraction harvested at 12 WAP and 20 WAP in the initial establishment and regrowth respectively. Cutting regime, botanical fraction and their interaction were significant in gas produced at 24 h, SCFA and ME in both the initial establishment and regrowth stages. In conclusion, harvest at 20WAP produced the highest biomass yield but lower CP in the initial establishment whiles in the regrowth, harvest at 20WAP produced higher biomass yield, CP and ME.