Selection of Drought-Tolerant Pasture Species under Varying Soil and Moisture Conditions in Bauchi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Livestock production is an agricultural system that serves as humanity’s protein and calorie source. Its production is the main economic stay for some people and a complementary source for others. However, land misappropriation and draught constrain the sustainable production of pasture for feeding livestock. Further aggravated by farmer/herder clashes and wetlands extinction. The need for an experiment for the selection of the best pasture species in the Sudan Savannah region that can thrive well under diverse soil textures and moisture status becomes imperative. This trial was conducted in the screen house of Babcock University, objectively to test the performances of Sorghum almum, Andropogon gayanus, Brachiaria mulato and Centrosema pascuorum under Sand, Sandy Clay Loam, and Sandy Loam textures and four water regimes: 100%, 75%, 50%, and 25%. Standard agronomic recommendations were practised throughout the experiment. Data collected included plant height, fresh and dry shoot and root weights, number of leaves, and leaf length. Data generated were analyzed using ANOVA. According to the results, Sandy Loam soil (Soil type from Gamawa) was the best for supporting all the pasture species, followed by Sandy Clay Loam (Soil type from Zaki). S. almum outperformed other pasture species significantly irrespective of soil textural type and water stress level treatments, followed by B. mulato. For water levels; 100% and 75% had the most promising biomass outcome. Based on the results, a 75% water regime which represents 25% deficit of the actual crop water requirement is recommended for the production of the tested pastures in the area.