Effect of Sorghum-Legume Intercrop on Quality and Rumen Degradability of Sorghum Stover in Adamawa State, Nigeria

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of sorghum-legume intercrop on quality and rumen degradability of sole sorghum stover, sorghum stover with lablab or with groundnut intercrop at different stages of growth. The experimental design was randomized complete block design with three treatments and three replicates. Growth was significant (P<0.05) between treatments and higher at weeks 10 to 12. Crude protein was higher among sorghum with lablab or groundnut intercrop and least with sole sorghum stover and decreases with stage of growth, while ADF and NDF increases with stage of growth. A fistulated bunaji bull with 90 mm internal diameter was used for the degradability. Degradability was higher with sorghum stover with legume intercrops and least with sole sorghum stover and increases with time of incubation, but decreases with age of sorgum stover. The result indicated that sorghum-legume intercrop could lead to improved quality of stover, degradability and general performance of the animals.