Abstract:
Four grasses (coastal: Aeluropus lagopoides & Sporobolus tremulus, and inland: Paspalum paspalodes and
Paspalidium geminatum) were evaluated for biomass production, mineral composition and forage quality under optimal
non-saline conditions. Vegetative shoots were collected from natural populations and allowed to grow under ambient
environmental conditions for about six weeks. Forage quality parameters included neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid
detergent fiber (ADF), crude protein (CP), dry matter digestibility (DMD), and metabolizable energy (ME). Coastal species
had higher ADF and crude protein values in comparison with inland species whereas, DMD were highest in Paspalum
paspalodes followed by Sporobolus tremulus, Paspalidium geminatum and Aeluropus lagopoides. Estimated metabolizable
energy (ME) was highest in Paspalum paspalodes with similar values in other test species. Sporobolus tremulus had the
highest sulphur (1.42%) while the other three species had considerably lower values (< 0.45) which are within acceptable
fodder limits for ruminants. Inland grasses (particularly Paspalum paspalodes) appeared to be better forage species
producing higher biomass, DMD, ME and crude protein and low ADF and S than the coastal ones. However, with careful
rationing all test species could be used as supplementary fodder for livestock.
