Mineral composition of two Stylosanthes species oversown in natural pasture: effect of tillage practice and sowing method
2020
Muraina, T. O. | Jimoh, S. O. | Ewetola, I. A. | Ojo, V. O. A. | Amisu, A. A. | Okukenu, O. A. | Adebisi, Y. A. | Muraina, H. A. | Olanite, J. A.
Natural pastures are the primary sources of feed for ruminant in southwest Nigeria, but they are of poor quality. Oversowing of legumes could augment the nutrients supplied by the poor forages but this is rarely explored. Here, we oversowed two legumes (Stylosanthes guianensis cv. Cook and Stylosanthes hamata cv. Verano) into natural pasture using different tillage methods (zero-tillage and minimal tillage) and sowing methods (broadcast or drill), and examined their macro and trace minerals. We found that the two legumes produced similar (p > 0.05) calcium, phosphorus, and potassium in all treatments, while magnesium and sodium contents significantly differ (p < 0.05). The two legumes were generally rich in macrominerals far beyond the requirements of ruminants and low in trace mineral concentrations irrespective of the treatments imposed. Thus, we recommend oversowing of these two legumes into natural pasture for an adequate supply of major minerals and enhanced livestock productivity in the region of study and beyond. Other sources of trace minerals should be assessed if the natural pasture could not supply them.
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