Nutrient composition, in vitro digestibility, and methane production of two tropical grasses: Effect of grazing frequency and plant spacing

This study aimed to evaluate the dry matter yield, nutrient composition, in vitro and methane produced from Megathyrsus maximus (Ntchisi) Cenchrus purpureus grazed at two grazing frequency (3 6-week, (GF)) with plant spacing (0.5 m x 1 m). The design of this experiment was split-split plot 2 factorial arrangement. Milled samples were analyzed for chemical In digestibility (IVDMD), total gas production, (CH4) volatile fatty acid content, content acetate, butyrate, propionate acetate: ratio. M. 6-week GF had highest yield. crude protein (CP) grasses ranged 104.24 – 181.35 g/kg DM C. 3-week ranked CP fraction A, B1, B2. detergent fibre. Metabolizable energy (ME), short chain volume 48 h incubation 0.5 spacing. 3 displayed CH4 value. Acetate, propionate, significantly (P<0.05)