Accumulation and quality of dry matter of giant star, buffel and pangola grasses and their regrowth production

Abstract

The accumulation and quality of dry matter from giant star, buffel and pangola grasses were measured during the minor and major rainy seasons and the regrowth production was measured in the following dry periods on the Accra Plains, Ghana, West Africa. The rate of initial growth of all species was similar up to approximately eight weeks following the commencement of the rainy seasons. Thereafter, buffel grass accumulated more dry matter than giant star or pangola during the two seasons. Although this accumulation of dry matter in buffel was attributed to increases in stem production, the percentage in ultra-dry matter digestibility and total N of this species was higher than those of the other grasses. The leaf digestibility of this species was higher and it did not decline as low, at late stages of maturity, as that of either giant star or pangola grass. Of the three species, buffel grass produced the greatest amount of regrowth herbage.