Forage Yield and Quality of Different Genotypes of Buffel Grass (Cenchrus ciliaris Linn.) at Various Cutting Intervals

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out during Kharif season from 2004 to 2006 under rain grown conditions to study the performance of different genotypes viz., CAZRI 2171, CAZRI 2186, CAZRI 2226 and CAZRI 75 of Cenchrus ciliaris Linn. for forage yield and quality with different cutting schedules i.e., 30, 45 and 60 days intervals. The results ot three years revealed that the maximum mean dry matter production (1990 kg ha-1) and protein yield (207 kg ha-1) was recorded with CAZRI 2171 followed by CAZRI 2226 whereas CAZRI-75 gave minimum dry matter yield (846 kg ha-1) and protein yield (64 kg ha-1). Plants of CAZRI 2171 and 2226 were taller and flowered early and the numbers of tillers were more in CAZRI 2186 with short stature plants. The protein content in the foliage of CAZRI 75 was slightly higher but total protein yield was lower than CAZRI 2171 and CAZRI 2226. This indicated that CAZRI 2171 and CAZRI 2226 were superior for producing higher forage and protein yields under arid conditions. Further cutting intervals did not show significant variation for the mean dry matter production over the years but green fodder yield and crude protein content were higher when the grass was harvested at 30 days interval in all the genotypes, except in CAZRI 75 in which mortality of plants was higher at harvesting at this stage.