YIELD AND FORAGE QUALITY OF ELEPHANT GRASS IN RESPONSE TO CUTTING INTERVALS

The aim of the study was to identify the shorter cutting intervals in relation to the production and quality of forage. Treatments consisted of two forages cutting frequencies: 12 and 8 cutting frequencies per year_1 (4 week cutting interval and 6 weeks cutting interval), at regularly spaced intervals. All treatments were replicated five times and arranged in a factorial design based on randomized complete block design. The parameters observed were tiller number, crop growth rate(CGR), biomass yields, forage production, dry matter yield (DMY), dry matter(DM) content, crude protein and crude fiber. The study showed that the tiller number at the CI 4 weeks was higher than CI 6 weeks. The CGR at 4 weekcutting interval (43.67%) was higher (p<0.05) than 6 week cutting interval. The highest result of biomass yields per plot (198.96 kg) was gained at cutting interval 4 weeks in the second year which was significantly different in all treatments. The crude protein rate at 4 week cutting interval was higher (13.8%) than the protein level at 6 week cutting interval. The crude fiber content at 4 week cutting interval (28.6%) was lower than at 6 week cutting interval (34.6%). Finally the research also showed that the 4 week cutting interval provided better nutritional quality, as reflected in the increasing levels of CP and the decreasing CF, with a steady DM.