Some Aspects of Rangeland Improvement in a Derived Savanna Ecosystem

Abstract

Natural rangelands carry the bulk of ruminant livestock in the tropics of Nigeria. However, the productivity of such ecosystems is low. Some improvement of the rangelands' productivity is, therefore, needed and in this experiment the effects of fertilizers, legume oversowing, and harvesting management were evaluated. Dry matter yield increased from 3,400 kg/ha with zero fertilizer to 6,600 kg/ha with a combination of 200kg N, 44kg P, and 83kg K per hectare. NPK × 6 weeks cutting interval gave the highest dry matter yield. Crude protein concentration and botanical composition of the herbage as well as the site's soil chemistry were altered by the treatments. Application of NPK fertilizers and harvesting every 6 weeks were, at least for this ecological zone, the best way of improving the rangeland and sustaining the improvement for long-term productivity.