Validation of resilient and drought adapted forage options for mixed farming systems in Northern Ghana

This study evaluates the biomass yield and chemical composition of different grass species harvested at three intervals across the years 2023 and 2024 at two sites at the Nyankpala campus of the University of Development Studies in Tamale, Ghana. Twelve grass and legumes were assessed, including Pan...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Ansah, Terry, Pigangsoa Konlan, Solomon, Cudjoe, Shedrack, Akufo, Naana M., Mogre, Joshua W.S., Dari, Prosper S., van der Hoek, Rein
Format: Informe técnico
Language:Inglés
Published: 2024
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/169900
_version_ 1855534912387416064
author Ansah, Terry
Pigangsoa Konlan, Solomon
Cudjoe, Shedrack
Akufo, Naana M.
Mogre, Joshua W.S.
Dari, Prosper S.
van der Hoek, Rein
author_browse Akufo, Naana M.
Ansah, Terry
Cudjoe, Shedrack
Dari, Prosper S.
Mogre, Joshua W.S.
Pigangsoa Konlan, Solomon
van der Hoek, Rein
author_facet Ansah, Terry
Pigangsoa Konlan, Solomon
Cudjoe, Shedrack
Akufo, Naana M.
Mogre, Joshua W.S.
Dari, Prosper S.
van der Hoek, Rein
author_sort Ansah, Terry
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description This study evaluates the biomass yield and chemical composition of different grass species harvested at three intervals across the years 2023 and 2024 at two sites at the Nyankpala campus of the University of Development Studies in Tamale, Ghana. Twelve grass and legumes were assessed, including Panicum maximum (Megathyrsus maximus) cv Massai, P. Mombasa, Cenchrus purpureus, and various Brachiaria (Urochloa) hybrids and cultivars. The highest biomass yields were recorded for P. Massai, P. Mombasa, P. Mun River and B. Camello, while B. Basilisk showed the lowest yield. P. Massai and P. Mombasa exhibited moderate to high protein content, while Cenchrus purpureus had high total digestible nutrients but lower protein levels. The Brachiaria grasses generally displayed a higher fiber content, particularly B. Hybrid GP0423. The data suggest that P. Massai and P. Mombasa are particularly suitable for high-biomass production, while species like Cenchrus purpureus offer a balance of high digestibility with moderate protein content. The results emphasize the need to select grass species based on yield, nutritional composition and drought resilience to optimize forage production for various agricultural and livestock needs. On-farm trials with P. Mun River showed good results and farmers are encouraged to integrate Panicum Mun River and the other well performing forages into their mixed farming system to increase high quality feed availability and improve system resiliency.
format Informe técnico
id CGSpace169900
institution CGIAR Consortium
language Inglés
publishDate 2024
publishDateRange 2024
publishDateSort 2024
record_format dspace
spelling CGSpace1699002025-11-05T12:22:14Z Validation of resilient and drought adapted forage options for mixed farming systems in Northern Ghana Ansah, Terry Pigangsoa Konlan, Solomon Cudjoe, Shedrack Akufo, Naana M. Mogre, Joshua W.S. Dari, Prosper S. van der Hoek, Rein evaluation dry season feed grasses biomass production chemical composition This study evaluates the biomass yield and chemical composition of different grass species harvested at three intervals across the years 2023 and 2024 at two sites at the Nyankpala campus of the University of Development Studies in Tamale, Ghana. Twelve grass and legumes were assessed, including Panicum maximum (Megathyrsus maximus) cv Massai, P. Mombasa, Cenchrus purpureus, and various Brachiaria (Urochloa) hybrids and cultivars. The highest biomass yields were recorded for P. Massai, P. Mombasa, P. Mun River and B. Camello, while B. Basilisk showed the lowest yield. P. Massai and P. Mombasa exhibited moderate to high protein content, while Cenchrus purpureus had high total digestible nutrients but lower protein levels. The Brachiaria grasses generally displayed a higher fiber content, particularly B. Hybrid GP0423. The data suggest that P. Massai and P. Mombasa are particularly suitable for high-biomass production, while species like Cenchrus purpureus offer a balance of high digestibility with moderate protein content. The results emphasize the need to select grass species based on yield, nutritional composition and drought resilience to optimize forage production for various agricultural and livestock needs. On-farm trials with P. Mun River showed good results and farmers are encouraged to integrate Panicum Mun River and the other well performing forages into their mixed farming system to increase high quality feed availability and improve system resiliency. 2024-12 2025-01-25T11:39:47Z 2025-01-25T11:39:47Z Report https://hdl.handle.net/10568/169900 en Open Access application/pdf Ansah, T.; Pigangsoa Konlan, S.; Cudjoe, S.; Akufo, N.M.; Mogre, J.W.; Dari, P.S.; van der Hoek, R. (2024) Validation of resilient and drought adapted forage options for mixed farming systems in Northern Ghana. Rome (Italy): Bioversity International and International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT). 42 p.
spellingShingle evaluation
dry season
feed grasses
biomass production
chemical composition
Ansah, Terry
Pigangsoa Konlan, Solomon
Cudjoe, Shedrack
Akufo, Naana M.
Mogre, Joshua W.S.
Dari, Prosper S.
van der Hoek, Rein
Validation of resilient and drought adapted forage options for mixed farming systems in Northern Ghana
title Validation of resilient and drought adapted forage options for mixed farming systems in Northern Ghana
title_full Validation of resilient and drought adapted forage options for mixed farming systems in Northern Ghana
title_fullStr Validation of resilient and drought adapted forage options for mixed farming systems in Northern Ghana
title_full_unstemmed Validation of resilient and drought adapted forage options for mixed farming systems in Northern Ghana
title_short Validation of resilient and drought adapted forage options for mixed farming systems in Northern Ghana
title_sort validation of resilient and drought adapted forage options for mixed farming systems in northern ghana
topic evaluation
dry season
feed grasses
biomass production
chemical composition
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/169900
work_keys_str_mv AT ansahterry validationofresilientanddroughtadaptedforageoptionsformixedfarmingsystemsinnorthernghana
AT pigangsoakonlansolomon validationofresilientanddroughtadaptedforageoptionsformixedfarmingsystemsinnorthernghana
AT cudjoeshedrack validationofresilientanddroughtadaptedforageoptionsformixedfarmingsystemsinnorthernghana
AT akufonaanam validationofresilientanddroughtadaptedforageoptionsformixedfarmingsystemsinnorthernghana
AT mogrejoshuaws validationofresilientanddroughtadaptedforageoptionsformixedfarmingsystemsinnorthernghana
AT dariprospers validationofresilientanddroughtadaptedforageoptionsformixedfarmingsystemsinnorthernghana
AT vanderhoekrein validationofresilientanddroughtadaptedforageoptionsformixedfarmingsystemsinnorthernghana