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Mineral composition of two Stylosanthes species oversown in natural pasture: effect of tillage practice and sowing method

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Abstract

Natural pastures are the primary sources of feed for ruminant in southwest Nigeria, but they are of poor quality. Oversowing of legumes could augment the nutrients supplied by the poor forages but this is rarely explored. Here, we oversowed two legumes (Stylosanthes guianensis cv. Cook and Stylosanthes hamata cv. Verano) into natural pasture using different tillage methods (zero-tillage and minimal tillage) and sowing methods (broadcast or drill), and examined their macro and trace minerals. We found that the two legumes produced similar (p > 0.05) calcium, phosphorus, and potassium in all treatments, while magnesium and sodium contents significantly differ (p < 0.05). The two legumes were generally rich in macrominerals far beyond the requirements of ruminants and low in trace mineral concentrations irrespective of the treatments imposed. Thus, we recommend oversowing of these two legumes into natural pasture for an adequate supply of major minerals and enhanced livestock productivity in the region of study and beyond. Other sources of trace minerals should be assessed if the natural pasture could not supply them.

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Acknowledgments

We profoundly appreciate the Directorate of Grants Management, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria for funding the project titled ‘Mitigating the impact of pastoral grazing on the natural ecosystem and rural livelihoods in Yewa Division of Ogun State, Nigeria’ of which this research was part.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pasture and Range Management, Federal University of Agriculture, P. M. B. 2240, Abeokuta, Nigeria

    T. O. Muraina, S. O. Jimoh, V. O. A. Ojo, A. A. Amisu, O. A. Okukenu & J. A. Olanite

  2. Department of Animal Health and Production Technology, Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, P. M. B. 10, Igbo-Ora, Oyo, Nigeria

    T. O. Muraina

  3. Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning/National Hulunber Grassland Ecosystem Observation and Research Station, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 12, Zhongguancun South Street, Haidian District, Beijing, 100081, People’s Republic of China

    T. O. Muraina

  4. Grassland Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 120 East Wulanchabu Street, Hohhot, 010010, People’s Republic of China

    S. O. Jimoh

  5. Sustainable Environment Food and Agriculture Initiative, Lagos, 104101, Nigeria

    S. O. Jimoh

  6. Department of Animal Nutrition and Forage Science, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, P.M.B. 7267, Umuahia, Nigeria

    I. A. Ewetola

  7. Department of Animal Production and Health, Federal University of Agriculture, P. M. B. 2240, Abeokuta, Nigeria

    Y. A. Adebisi

  8. Department of Animal Physiology, Federal University of Agriculture, P. M. B. 2240, Abeokuta, Nigeria

    H. A. Muraina

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  1. T. O. Muraina
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  2. S. O. Jimoh
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  8. H. A. Muraina
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Muraina, T.O., Jimoh, S.O., Ewetola, I.A. et al. Mineral composition of two Stylosanthes species oversown in natural pasture: effect of tillage practice and sowing method. Trop Anim Health Prod 52, 2753–2759 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-020-02305-7

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