EFFECT OF SOWING METHODS, CUTTING AGE AND GRAZING ABILITY ON GROWTH COMPONENTS AND QUALITY OF Merremia tridentata IN SEMI-ARID BORNO STATE

Abstract

The study was carried out to determine the effect of sowing method, cutting age and grazing ability on growth components and quality of Merremia tridentata in semi-arid region of Borno State. The treatments three different sowing methods (drilling, dribbling and broadcasting), these were laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD) and replicated three times. Data were collected on Plant height, Leaf number, Leaf width and leaf length per at 4, 6, 8 weeks after sowing and 2 weeks regrowth after grazing. The result of the study showed that, sowing methods have no significant (P<0.05) influence on growth components at 4 weeks after sowing. At 6 weeks after sowing plant height and leaf number were significantly (P<0.05) influenced with values ranging from 24.92 – 33.05 cm and 46.44 – 58.11 cm, respectively with broadcasting method having the highest values. At 8 weeks after sowing all growth components were significantly (P<0.05) affected. Plant height and leaf length at 2 weeks after grazing were significantly (P<0.05)(p<0.05) different influenced by sowing method with the highest values of 30.28 and 4.37 cm, respectively recorded under broadcasting. Proximate composition of Merremia tridentata shows that dry matter, crude fibre, ether extract and ash values were not significantly (P<0.05) affected. However, crude protein and nitrogen free extract were significantly (P<0.05) different with values ranging from 12.82 to 14.82 % and 59.78 to 64.20 %, respectively. Based on the result of this findings, it is concluded that growth of Merremia tridentata is improved by using broadcasting method as it recorded the highest growth component value, high nutritive value and the ability to withstand grazing by sheep.