Intercroping effect of Canavalia Ensiformis on regrowth ability and in-vitro gas production of Panicum Maximum Cvt58.

The effect of legume intercrop on regrowth ability and nutritive value via in vitro gas production of guinea grass was evaluated in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement. Panicum maximum cv T 58 grass with Canavalia ensiformis intercrop was studied for six weeks. The tiller height, tiller numbers, regrowth percentage were recorded on weekly basis. The sward was harvested at the end of six weeks. Samples were taken, oven dried and dry matter yield determined. Proximate composition of the grasses was then carried out. The soil condition was improved after treatment. The stem had the least crude protein content than the leaves (5.43%). In vitro gas production carried out showed that methane gas production was higher in the stem fraction than in the leaves. This suggests that leave utilization will be higher when fed to ruminants. Intercropping Canavalia ensiformis with Panicum maximum enhanced the regrowth ability and in vitro gas production thereby reducing the necessity for chemical fertilizer. Keywords: Canavalia ensiformis , Regrowth ability, In vitro gas, Panicum maximum L’effet de la culture intercalaire de legumineuses sur la capacite de regeneration et sur la valeur nutritive a travers la production de gaz in-vitro de l’herbe de Guinee a ete evalue dans un arrangement factoriel de 2 x 2. L’herbe Panicum maximum cv T 58 et la culture intercalaire de Canavalia ensiformis ont ete etudie pendant six semaines. La hauteur de la taille, le nombre de tailles, le pourcentage de repousse ont ete enregistre hebdomadairement. L’herbe a ete fauchee a la fin de la sixieme semaines. Des echantillons ont ete preleves et seches au four. La matiere seche produite a ete analysee. La composition generale des graminees a ensuite ete effectuee. L’etat du sol a ete ameliore apres le traitement. Le pedicelle avait une plus faible quantite de proteines brutes que les feuilles (5,43%). La production de gaz effectuee in vitro a demontre que le gaz methane produit etait plus eleve dans le pedicelle que dans les feuilles. Cela suggere que l’utilisation des feuilles serait plus importante quand elles servent de nourriture pour les ruminants. La culture intercalaire de Canavalia ensiformis couplee au Panicum maximum a renforce la capacite de repousse et la production in vitro de gaz reduisant ainsi le besoin de recourir aux engrais chimiques.