QUALITY EVALUATION OF SOME GRAZING RESERVES IN SOKOTO AND KEBBI STATES OF NIGERIA

Abstract

The conditions of 10 selected grazing reserves, five each in Sokoto and Kebbi States, were examined to determine some pre Juctivity indices. Samples of soils, forages and faeces were collected from t~' reserve,s. Forage samples were analysed for crude protein (CP), Ca, P and dry matter digestibility (DMD). Soil samples were ana lysed for pH, Calcium (Ca) and Phosphorus (P), while rib-bone samples were analysed for Ca and P. The carrying capacity of the reserves were also evaluated. All samples except soils were collected during the rainy (July/August) and dry (February/March) seasons. Soil samples were collected only during the rainy season. Mean CP contents offorages during the rainy and dry seasons were 7.02 and 2.15% while DMD were 67.5 and 43.4% respectively. An average carrying capacity of 0.19 and 0.17 animal units (AU)lhectare year was estimated for reserves in Sokoto and Kebbi states respectively. Highly significant differenes (P<O.O I) between seasons and locations were observed for forage Ca, P, and Ca:P ratio. DMD and faecal P within season location differences were observed only for Ca and rib-bone SG (P<O.Ol). Highly significant positive (P<O.OI) correlations were found between soil pH and soil Ca (r = 0.92) and between forage CP and forage P (r = 0.87). Significantly (P<0.05) negative correlation was observed between forage Ca P ratio and rib-bone SG (r = 0.58). In terms of productivity, there were no differences between reserves located in the two states.