Research Article

Nutritional Evaluation of Three Panicum Forage Species at Different Growth Stages

Ashar Farooq1*, Mohammad Salim2, Zahid Rauf1, Muhammad Tahir Khan3 and Asad Abbas Khan4

1Pakistan Forest Institute, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan; 2Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, University of Haripur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan; 3Department of Animal Nutrition, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar,Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan; 4Barani Livestock Production Research Institute, Kerimurat, Attock, Punjab, Pakistan.

Received | July 09, 2024; Accepted | December 18, 2024; Published | December 27, 2024

*Correspondence | Ashar Farooq, Pakistan Forest Institute, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan; Email: [email protected]

Citation | Farooq, A., M. Salim, Z. Rauf, M.T. Khan and A.A. Khan. 2024. Nutritional evaluation of three panicum forage species at different growth stages. Pakistan Journal of Forestry, 74(2): 101-107.

DOI | https://dx.doi.org/10.17582/journal.PJF/74.2.101.107

Keywords | Nutritive value, Growth phases, Forage species, Dry matter, Crude fiber, Maturity stage, Pre-boot, Full-flowering

Copyright: 2024 by the authors. Licensee ResearchersLinks Ltd, England, UK.

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Introduction

Panicum antidotale, Panicum coloratum and Panicum maximum are considered as the most popular and frequently utilized grasses for forage among the genus Panicum throughout the world (Aliscioni et al., 2003). The production of livestock, a significant part of the agricultural production system, is closely linked to the production of fodder. In both developed and developing nations, this sector accounts for about 40% and 20% of total agricultural production, respectively. Additionally, it sustains the lives of billions people globally (FAO, 2018). Livestock sector has significantly contributed to foreign exchange in Pakistan during the last few years. Its contribution to foreign exchange earnings is approximately 3.1% during the financial year 2019-2020, that is 11.70% of the gross domestic product (Anonymous, 2020). It is significant to comprehend the forage quality of different species and how they impact animal husbandry. High-quality feed and sustainable pasture management significantly improve animal health and performance, increasing growth rates, milk output, resistance to disease, and reproductive success. Because of their great nutritional content and high yield, forage grasses are crucial for providing animals with the nutrition they need. These perennial forages are useful in livestock feeding programs. Forage grasses are used to make silage and hay during the cold weather when there is a shortage of forage. Demand of the situation is introducing the fodder species having high nutritive value, high forage production and widely adaptable which could help mitigate the deficit of livestock feed and overall production of livestock (Jamil et al., 2018).

Comparative study of the nutritional value of different Panicum species at various clipping stages has not been conducted in Pakistan. In this context, this study was carried out and focused on evaluating the comparative nutritional value and cell wall content of P. antidotale; P. coloratum and P. maximum species at three growth phases.

Materials and Methods

The experimental site is located in the range research area of Pakistan Forest Institute, Peshawar. Figure 1 demonstrates the study area. Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was employed with four replications and a factorial arrangement. Treatments included three grass species and three cutting stages i.e., Pre-boot, full-flowering and seed-ripe. The trial was conducted during March-November, 2020. Sample plot (quadrat) of 1m x 1m size was used to collect forage samples for calculating fresh weight.

Nutritive value analysis

Proximate analysis: Nutritional value of the forage was assessed by analyzing grass samples in the Animal Nutrition Department’s Forage Nutrition Laboratory at the University of Agriculture, Peshawar. Chemical analysis, sometimes referred to as proximate analysis, was used to ascertain ash content, dry matter (DM), crude fiber (CF), ether extract (EE) and crude protein (CP). The AOAC (2007) procedure was used to assess these parameters. Acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) were measured using an ANKOM fiber analyzer (Ammar et al., 1999) and the catalysts described by Van Soest et al. (1991).

 

Detergent fiber system

A more precise method for determining the amount of carbohydrates in forages is the detergent fiber technique. Structural carbohydrates are separated into fractions of ADF and NDF. In this process, the fractions were identified using two detergents.

Data processing

SPSS statistics software was used to analyze the data. The means of the measured and analyzed parameters for each treatment were examined using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Further, Tukey’s range test was applied to substantially different means.

Results and Discussion

Results of the data analysis are presented in Table 1 and Table 2. The nutritive value parameters studied are described as follows:

Dry matter (%)

The dry matter (DM) content of all three species at three different cutting stages illustrated in Figure 2 reveals that it is increased from the pre-boot stage to the seed-ripe stage. P. antidotale contained the highest DM (%) following P. maximum and P. coloratum. The analysis revealed a significant difference between the three species, with P. antidotale exhibiting a

 

Table 1: Showing statistical analysis of comparison between grass species regarding nutritive value.

Nutritive value parameter	(I) species	(J) species	Mean difference (I-J)
DM	P. antidotale	P. coloratum	2.7511*
		P. maximum	1.4833*
	P. coloratum	P. antidotale	-2.7511*
		P. maximum	-1.2678*
	P. maximum	P. antidotale	-1.4833*
		P. coloratum	1.2678*
CP	P. antidotale	P. coloratum	-4.9889*
		P. maximum	-6.9222*
	P. coloratum	P. antidotale	4.9889*
		P. maximum	-1.9333*
	P. maximum	P. antidotale	6.9222*
		P. coloratum	1.9333*
Ash	P. antidotale	P. coloratum	-1.9511*
		P. maximum	-4.7311*
	P. coloratum	P. antidotale	1.9511*
		P. maximum	-2.7800*
	P. maximum	P. antidotale	4.7311*
		P. coloratum	2.7800*
EE	P. antidotale	P. coloratum	-0.4533*
		P. maximum	-0.4844*
	P. coloratum	P. antidotale	0.4533*
		P. maximum	-0.0311
	P. maximum	P. antidotale	0.4844*
		P. coloratum	0.0311
CF	P. antidotale	P. coloratum	-0.5478*
		P. maximum	-2.4067*
	P. coloratum	P. antidotale	0.5478*
		P. maximum	-1.8589*
	P. maximum	P. antidotale	2.4067*
		P. coloratum	1.8589*
NDF	P. antidotale	P. coloratum	-5.3778*
		P. maximum	-1.7811*
	P. coloratum	P. antidotale	5.3778*
		P. maximum	3.5967*
	P. maximum	P. antidotale	1.7811*
		P. coloratum	-3.5967*
ADF	P. antidotale	P. coloratum	-8.1389*
		P. maximum	-4.7733*
	P. coloratum	P. antidotale	8.1389*
		P. maximum	3.3656*
	P. maximum	P. antidotale	4.7733*
		P. coloratum	-3.3656*

 

* The mean difference is significant at the 0.05 level.

 

Table 2: Statistical analysis of comparison between growth stages regarding nutritive value.

Nutritive value parameter	(I) Stage	(J) Stage	Mean difference (I-J)
DM	Pre-boot	Full flowering	-2.7389*
		Seed ripe	-2.5400*
	Full flowering	Pre-boot	2.7389*
		Seed ripe	.1989
	Seed ripe	Pre-boot	2.5400*
		Full flowering	-.1989
CP	Pre-boot	Full flowering	4.5222*
		Seed ripe	8.5333*
	Full flowering	Pre-boot	-4.5222*
		Seed ripe	4.0111*
	Seed ripe	Pre-boot	-8.5333*
		Full flowering	-4.0111*
Ash	Pre-boot	Full flowering	-3.4911*
		Seed ripe	-5.6844*
	Full flowering	Pre-boot	3.4911*
		Seed ripe	-2.1933*
	Seed ripe	Pre-boot	5.6844*
		Full flowering	2.1933*
EE	Pre-boot	Full flowering	.4178*
		Seed ripe	.2544*
	Full flowering	Pre-boot	-.4178*
		Seed ripe	-.1633
	Seed ripe	Pre-boot	-.2544*
		Full flowering	.1633
CF	Pre-boot	Full flowering	-4.2689*
		Seed ripe	-8.6556*
	Full flowering	Pre-boot	4.2689*
		Seed ripe	-4.3867*
	Seed ripe	Pre-boot	8.6556*
		Full flowering	4.3867*
NDF	Pre-boot	Full flowering	-4.7944*
		Seed ripe	-8.5878*
	Full flowering	Pre-boot	4.7944*
		Seed ripe	-3.7933*
	Seed ripe	Pre-boot	8.5878*
		Full flowering	3.7933*
ADF	Pre-boot	Full flowering	-4.6122*
		Seed ripe	-5.1100*
	Full flowering	Pre-boot	4.6122*
		Seed ripe	-.4978
	Seed ripe	Pre-boot	5.1100*
		Full flowering	.4978

 

* The mean difference is significant at the 0.05 level.

 

 

significantly higher DM percentage than the other two species, while P. coloratum had the lowest. The data indicate that DM percentage increases when forages mature from the pre-boot stage to the full flowering stage, supporting findings by Mushtaque et al. (2010), Ahmad et al. (2012), Lounglawan et al. (2014) and Chiphwanya et al. (2017). Increase in DM is attributed to rising fiber content (cell wall contents) as grasses approach maturity. Arshadullah et al. (2006) reported that P. maximum produced 9.32 t/ha of dry biomass, while P. antidotale yielded 6.78 t/ha. Conversely, Arshadullah et al. (2009) found that the DM yield of P. antidotale (Blue panic) was superior to that of P. maximum (Guinea grass).

Crude protein (%)

The crude protein (CP) content of the three Panicum grasses is illustrated in Figure 3. It shows that CP levels decrease from the pre-boot stage to the seed-ripe stage. P. maximum showed the highest CP percentage, following P. coloratum. CP content was highest at the pre-boot stage, decreased during the full-flowering stage, and was the lowest at the seed-ripe stage.

 

The results are matching with the conclusions of Agza et al. (2013), Katoch et al. (2013), Ismail et al. (2015) and Chiphwanya et al. (2017) who reported similar results of decline in CP contents with time. Microbial activity in animal feed can be decreased with CP less than 6-7% due to un-availability of nitrogen in the rumen. P. maximum had the highest CP (%) following P. coloratum and P. antidotale. The decline in CP is due to the fact that with maturity, stem-ratio and cell-wall contents increase which ultimately reduces leaf ratio.

Ether extract (%)

Figure 4 illustrates the ether extract (EE) content of the Panicum grasses. It is evident that the EE (%) of the grass species declines from the pre-boot stage to the seed-ripe stage. The analysis indicated that EE levels reduced as the grasses matured, with the highest EE recorded at the pre-boot stage, following full-flowering and seed-ripe stage. Katoch et al. (2013), and Chiphwanya et al. (2017) also reported a decline in EE content with maturity. Among the species, P. maximum had the highest EE percentage following P. coloratum and P. antidotale.

 

Ash (%)

The ash content of the Panicum grasses is illustrated in Figure 5. The data shows that ash content increased from pre-boot stage to seed-ripe stage. Ash content represents total minerals in the forage, including phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. As the grasses mature, ash content rises, with the highest levels observed at the seed-ripe stage following full-flowering and pre-boot stage. Again, P. maximum exhibited the highest ash percentage following P. coloratum and P. antidotale. The rise in ash content with the maturity is attributed to the increase in fiber contents as the forages grow (Chiphwanya et al., 2017).

 

Crude fiber (%)

The crude fiber (CF) content of the Panicum species is shown in Figure 6. P. antidotale had the maximum CF percentage following P. coloratum and P. maximum. CF content increases as the grasses mature corresponding to greater cell wall thickness. The highest CF levels were recorded at the seed-ripe stage following full-flowering, with the lowest at the pre-boot phase. The results are in line with the findings of an increase in CF content over time by Distel et al. (2005) and Chiphwanya et al. (2017).

 

Neutral detergent fiber (%)

Figure 7 shows the NDF (%) of the Panicum grasses. The slow-digestible and indigestible components of animal feed are represented by the fibrous carbohydrates cellulose, hemi-cellulose and lignin that constitute NDF. Species with the greatest percentage was P. coloratum, which was followed by P. maximum and P. antidotale. The pre-boot stage had the lowest NDF level, following the full-flowering stage and seed-mature stage. The rise in fiber content as the grasses grow is thought to be the cause of the increase in NDF content with phenological development. The results are in line with the findings of an increase in NDF content over time by Chiphwanya et al. (2017) and Jagadeesh et al. (2017).

 

Acid detergent fiber (%)

Figure 8 shows the ADF (%) the three Panicum grasses. ADF, which includes cellulose and lignin but not hemicellulose, is the part of forages that is least digested. It’s frequently called fibrous carbs. The species with the highest ADF % was P. coloratum, which was followed by P. maximum and P. antidotale. The pre-boot stage had the lowest ADF content, following the full flowering and seed mature stage. The rise in cell wall components as the grasses mature is thought to be the cause of the increase in ADF content with phenological development. The outcomes are consistent with research by Tessema et al. (2010), Reddy and Seshi (2012), Agza et al. (2013), Chiphwanya et al. (2017) and Jagadeesh et al. (2017).

 

Conclusions and Recommendations

It is concluded that P. maximum has significantly higher nutritive value than that of P. coloratum and P. antidotale. Compared to pre-boot and seed mature stages, crude protein is higher during the full flowering stage. The ideal time to pick these grasses is when they are fully blooming. Early in their growth, CP and EE exhibited a stronger tendency, and as they matured, they showed a decline. As the grasses progressed toward maturity, their soluble percentage dropped but their cell wall content (cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin) increased.

P. coloratum and P. maximum are recommended as cultivated fodder crops for sustainable livestock feeding. Furthermore, farmers can utilize the air dried and processed stuff of these grasses during cold weather.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Director, Biodiversity Research Division, Pakistan Forest Institute, Peshawar and his field staff for their support during the entire study period.

Novelty Statement

Nutritive value of forages plays a vital role in maximizing animal production of meat and milk. This study has focused on the identification of Panicum species having more nutritive value which will greatly help the livestock rearing farmers for the best choice of forages.

Author’s Contribution

Ashar Farooq: Concept, design and writing the manuscript.

Mohammad Salim: Critical thinking and proof reading.

Zahid Rauf: Statistical analysis of data.

Muhammad Tahir Khan: Laboratory analysis of forage samples.

Asad Abbas Khan: Laboratory analysis of forage samples.

Conflict of interest

The authors have declared no conflict of interest.

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