P. BARNES

Animal Research Institute, Achimota, Ghana

Abstract

Two batches of introduced forage species from ILCA's gene bank were evaluated for adaptation and dry matter production at 2 sites in the coastal and guinea savanna zones in Ghana over 2 years. Twenty legumes were evaluated in the first study and 6 legumes and 3 grasses in the second study. Rainfall was below average at both sites in both years. In both studies, the highest yielding legume accessions were: Stylosanthes scabra 441, Macrotyloma axillare, Stylosanthes hamata 75, Lablab purpureus and Stylosanthes guianensis 4, producing from 1.9–5.4 t/ha DM. In the second study, all species examined including Chloris gayana, Brachiaria ruziziensis and Panicum maximum grew well and yielded from 0.8–5.4 t/ha DM (legumes) and 2.3–11.3 t/ha DM (grasses). Chemical analysis of samples from the first study showed that, of the high yielding legume species, Macrotyloma axillare, Lablab purpureus and Stylosanthes guianensis 4 had high levels of macro- and micro-nutrients.