ON-FARM ESTABLISHMENT AND PRODUCTIVITY OF GMELINA AND GLIRICIDIA AS BROWSE FOR GOATS

Abstract

The on-farm establishment and productivity of Gmelina arborea and Gliricidia sepium were studied with seven farmers in two Local when planted as feed gardens. These studies Government Areas of Ogun State. Gmelina seedlings and Gliricidia stakes were planted in Gliricidia) plots located at distances of 15 to 50m to the farmer's homestead and protected from straying animals with local fencing materials like bamboo and palm branches. Core soil samples were taken randomly within each plot chemical analysis. The growth and yield of browse plants were determined at 3 and 12 months after planting. The palatability and the use of the browse as supplement to cassava peel were also determined. The organic matter soil was fairly high with organic carbon of 1.1 to 13%. Leaves of Gmelina and Gliricidia had high contents of nitrogen with crude protein values of 16 to 26%. The leaves were also high in mineral content. The dry matter yield of the primary growth ranged from browse for goat feeding. 3 to 5 t-ha while leaf dry matter yield ranged from 0.4 to 1.4 t-ha. Goats relished Gmeling more than Gliricidia with daily dry matter  intakes of 638 and 453g respectively when offered as sole feed. It is concluded that Gmelina and Gliricidia produce good quality protein feed for village goats when they are managed as shrubs in a feed garden.