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Gamba grass (Andropogon gayanus)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This datasheet is pending revision and updating; its contents are currently derived from FAO's Animal Feed Resources Information System (1991-2002) and from Bo Göhl's Tropical Feeds (1976-1982).

Datasheet

Description
Click on the "Nutritional aspects" tab for recommendations for ruminants, pigs, poultry, rabbits, horses, fish and crustaceans
Common names 

Gamba grass, bluestem, Rhodesian andropogon, Rhodesian blue grass, onga, tambuki grass, sadabahar

Bagbé, Gbagbé, Saa, Gbaga (Siguiri), Kondolo (Kissidougou) [Malinké]; Béedèn [Kissi]; Dioban, Ndioban [Poular]; Yobanyi, Djobanyi, Séké [Soussou]; Yalipopo [Guerzé]. (Carrière, 2000)

Species 

Andropogon gayanus Kunth [Poaceae]

Synonyms 

Andropogon bisquamulatus Hochst., Andropogon gayanus var. squamulatus Stapf, Andropogon squamulatus Hochst.

Feed categories 
Related feed(s) 
Description 

Gamba grass is a tall tufted perennial grass growing up to 2.5 m high. The culms are erect, branched above, glaucous, 1.5 to 2.5 m in height. The leaf-blades are linear, variable, up to 60 cm long x 4–20 mm wide, often narrowed at the base and sometimes falsely petiolate, commonly with an external ligule (a membranous rim at junction between sheath and blade). The inflorescence is a large leafy false panicle made of 4-10cm long, paired racemes. The spikelets are sessile, 5–8 mm in length. (Kew Science, 2021)

Grows on a variety of soils in areas 600-1100 mm of rain and 5- to 6-month dry season. Tolerates low fertility, but not waterlogging or over-grazing.

The anti-tick effect of Andropogon gayanus grass against Boophilus microplus has been demonstrated experimentally in Mexico by infesting fields with Boophilus microplus larvae over several years (Fernandez-Ruvalcaba et al., 2004).

Distribution 

One of the high-yielding grasses in West Africa.

Grows on a variety of soils in areas 600-1100 mm of rain and 5- to 6-month dry season. Tolerates low fertility, but not waterlogging or over-grazing (ref?).

 

Forage management 

Frequent burning tends to suppress this grass, and it is replaced by less useful species. Can stay green long into the dry season. Propagated vegetatively through splitting tillers or through seeding. Can be grown with Centrosema pubescens or Stylosanthes gracilis.

Nutritional aspects
Ruminants 

Palatable and nutritious when young, but produces numerous hard and unpalatable flowering stems which should be removed by burning or mowing.

Rabbits 

Gamba grass is used as forage in traditional rabbit feeding in different tropical countries such as Laos or Nigeria (Hongthong Phimmasan et al., 2005; Ekwe et al., 2011). In a cafeteria test with 4 other green forages (Centosema pubescens, banana leaves, oil palm leaves and Calopogonium mucunoides) fresh leaves from 8-weeks early dry season regrowth of Andropogon gayanus, were accepted but were the less palatable of the different forages (Osakwe et al., 2007)

In a study on 3 sources of proteins, gamba hay was used with success as only additional source of fibre. Distributed in fixed quantity (75g/day and /head) daily gamba hay intake represented from 41 to 50% of the total daily intake during the growth period preceding reproduction (Aganga et al., 1991).

In a cafeteria test, gamba silage harvested at soft dough stage, fortified or not with different legumes forage so as to increase the protein content of the mixture (from 6.2 up to 8.1% DM), was slightly but significantly preferred without addition of any other forage; but unfortunately no result of performance is available in this study (Muhammad et al., 2009). From general point of view, silage utilisation in rabbit feeding could source of problems if the total daily utilisation in the farm (for rabbits and ruminants if any) is not large enough to maintain day after day the quality of the silo content after opening.

Nutritional tables
Tables of chemical composition and nutritional value 

Avg: average or predicted value; SD: standard deviation; Min: minimum value; Max: maximum value; Nb: number of values (samples) used

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This datasheet is pending revision and updating; its contents are currently derived from FAO's Animal Feed Resources Information System (1991-2002) and from Bo Göhl's Tropical Feeds (1976-1982).

Main analysis Unit Avg SD Min Max Nb
Dry matter % as fed 27.8 1
Crude protein % DM 6.5 1
Crude fibre % DM 29.6 1
NDF % DM 65.1 *
ADF % DM 34.9 *
Lignin % DM 4.3 *
Ether extract % DM 3.1 1
Ash % DM 9.9 1
Gross energy MJ/kg DM 17.9 *
 
Ruminant nutritive values Unit Avg SD Min Max Nb
OM digestibility, Ruminant % 66.1 *
Energy digestibility, ruminants % 63.2 *
DE ruminants MJ/kg DM 11.3 *
ME ruminants MJ/kg DM 9.2 *
Nitrogen digestibility, ruminants % 52.3 1

The asterisk * indicates that the average value was obtained by an equation.

References

Blair Ralns, 1963

Last updated on 24/10/2012 00:44:13

Main analysis Unit Avg SD Min Max Nb
Dry matter % as fed 30.0 7.1 19.1 49.0 270
Crude protein % DM 7.8 2.6 3.0 13.7 307
Crude fibre % DM 36.8 3.6 29.2 44.6 288
NDF % DM 71.9 10.4 43.5 83.6 19 *
ADF % DM 42.9 7.3 29.2 52.0 18 *
Lignin % DM 6.0 2.2 2.3 9.3 18 *
Ether extract % DM 1.7 0.4 1.0 2.7 276
Ash % DM 8.3 1.9 5.2 13.1 306
Gross energy MJ/kg DM 18.2 *
 
Minerals Unit Avg SD Min Max Nb
Calcium g/kg DM 3.8 0.8 2.3 5.5 292
Phosphorus g/kg DM 1.6 0.5 0.7 2.9 296
Potassium g/kg DM 16.4 4.5 8.4 24.9 182
Sodium g/kg DM 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.2 17
Magnesium g/kg DM 2.1 0.5 1.1 3.3 174
Manganese mg/kg DM 196 66 82 339 87
Zinc mg/kg DM 25 5 15 34 87
Copper mg/kg DM 5 2 3 9 87
 
Ruminant nutritive values Unit Avg SD Min Max Nb
OM digestibility, Ruminant % 60.0 *
Energy digestibility, ruminants % 57.4 *
DE ruminants MJ/kg DM 10.5 *
ME ruminants MJ/kg DM 8.4 *
ME ruminants (gas production) MJ/kg DM 6.3 0.2 6.0 6.4 3

The asterisk * indicates that the average value was obtained by an equation.

References

Abaunza et al., 1991; Bartha, 1970; CIRAD, 1991; Evitayani et al., 2004; Evitayani et al., 2004; González-García et al., 2008; Odedire et al., 2008; Pozy et al., 1996; Rodrigues et al., 2004; Sen et al., 1965; Vanthong Phengvichith et al., 2007

Last updated on 24/10/2012 00:44:13

Main analysis Unit Avg SD Min Max Nb
Dry matter % as fed 27.5 1
Crude protein % DM 4.1 1
Crude fibre % DM 30.3 1
NDF % DM 65.8 *
ADF % DM 35.7 *
Lignin % DM 4.4 *
Ether extract % DM 0.6 1
Ash % DM 8.3 1
Gross energy MJ/kg DM 17.5 *
 
Ruminant nutritive values Unit Avg SD Min Max Nb
OM digestibility, Ruminant % 64.7 *
Energy digestibility, ruminants % 61.8 *
DE ruminants MJ/kg DM 10.8 *
ME ruminants MJ/kg DM 8.9 *
Nitrogen digestibility, ruminants % 41.5 1

The asterisk * indicates that the average value was obtained by an equation.

References

Blair Ralns, 1963

Last updated on 24/10/2012 00:44:13

Main analysis Unit Avg SD Min Max Nb
Dry matter % as fed 90.0 5.4 82.4 96.4 7
Crude protein % DM 3.8 2.8 1.1 9.1 7
Crude fibre % DM 41.5 4.0 35.1 47.1 7
NDF % DM 76.3 76.3 85.0 2 *
ADF % DM 48.0 48.0 55.6 2 *
Lignin % DM 7.1 7.1 11.0 2 *
Ether extract % DM 1.1 0.5 0.5 1.7 6
Ash % DM 6.3 2.2 3.9 8.9 7
Gross energy MJ/kg DM 18.4 *
 
Minerals Unit Avg SD Min Max Nb
Calcium g/kg DM 3.8 1.6 1.6 6.3 6
Phosphorus g/kg DM 1.4 1.1 0.4 3.5 6
Potassium g/kg DM 12.4 5.8 9.0 21.0 4
Sodium g/kg DM 0.1 1
Magnesium g/kg DM 1.6 0.3 1.4 1.9 4
Manganese mg/kg DM 180 1
Zinc mg/kg DM 18 1
Copper mg/kg DM 3 1
 
Ruminant nutritive values Unit Avg SD Min Max Nb
OM digestibility, Ruminant % 51.0 *
Energy digestibility, ruminants % 47.7 *
DE ruminants MJ/kg DM 8.8 *
ME ruminants MJ/kg DM 7.1 *
Nitrogen digestibility, ruminants % 11.5 1

The asterisk * indicates that the average value was obtained by an equation.

References

Blair Ralns, 1963; CIRAD, 1991

Last updated on 24/10/2012 00:44:14

Main analysis Unit Avg SD Min Max Nb
Dry matter % as fed 25.0 1
Crude protein % DM 5.8 1
Crude fibre % DM 37.4 1
NDF % DM 72.4 *
ADF % DM 43.5 *
Lignin % DM 6.1 *
Ether extract % DM 1.9 1
Ash % DM 7.4 1
Gross energy MJ/kg DM 18.4 *
 
Ruminant nutritive values Unit Avg SD Min Max Nb
OM digestibility, Ruminant % 57.3 *
Energy digestibility, ruminants % 53.1 *
DE ruminants MJ/kg DM 9.7 *
ME ruminants MJ/kg DM 7.9 *
Nitrogen digestibility, ruminants % 20.7 1

The asterisk * indicates that the average value was obtained by an equation.

References

Blair Ralns, 1963

Last updated on 24/10/2012 00:44:14

References
References 
Adjolohoun, S., 2008. Yield, nutritive value and effects on soil fertility of forage grasses and legumes cultivated as ley pastures in the Borgou region of Benin. Thèse Faculté Universitaire des Sciences Agronomiques de Gembloux web icon
Aganga, A. A. ; Aduku, A. O. ; Abdulmalik, M. ; Sekoni, A., 1991. Effect of different protein sources and their levels on the reproduction of breeding rabbits. J. Appl. Rabbit Res., 14 (1): 30-33
Blair Rains, A., 1963. Grassland Research in Northern Nigeria. 1952 - 62. Misc. pap., Samaru (Nigeria), No. 1, 69 p.
Caceres, O. ; Esperance, M. ; Hernandez, N. C., 1986. Studies on haymaking on three outstanding grasses. Pastos y Forrajes, 9 (2): 185-189
Camarao, A. P. ; Braga, E. ; Batista, H. A. M., 1988. Nutritional value of Andropogon gayanus Kunth at three growth stages. Boletim de Pesquisa Centro de Pesquisa Agropecuaria do Tropico Umido, No. 94, 17 pp
Carrière M., 2000. Flore de guinée : appellations vernaculaires et usages traditionnels de quelques plantes. CIRAD-EMVT web icon
CIAT, Cali, Colombia., 1982. Pasture quality and nutrition. CIAT Annual Report, Tropical Pastures Program. unda, 225-249. Cali, Colombia
CIAT, Cali, Colombia., 1982. Productivity and management of pastures. Programa de pastos tropicales. Informe anual 1982. 1984, 251 266. Cali, Colombia; CIAT
CIAT, Cali, Colombia., 1984. Pasture productivity and management. CIAT Annual Report, Tropical Pastures Program. unda, 269-284. Cali, Colombia
Ekwe, O. O. ; Osakwe, I. I. ; Nweze, B. O., 2011. The effect of replacing maize with cassava "sievate" using banana leaves as basal forage in the diet of weaned rabbit. Ozean J. Appl. Sci., 4 (1): 51-58 web icon
Fernandez-Ruvalcaba, M. ; Preciado-de-la Torre, F. ; Cruz-Vazquez, C. ; Garcia-Vazquez, Z., 2004. Anti-tick effects of Melinis minutiflora and Andropogon gayanus grasses on plots experimentally infested with Boophilus microplus larvae. Experimental and Applied Acarology, 32: 293-299 web icon
Gomez, S, J. ; Laredo, C, M. A., 1983. Mineral fluctuations in tropical grasses. II. Andropogon gayanus in the eastern plains. Revista del Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario, 18 (2): 95-104
Hongthong Phimmasan; Ledin, I., 2005. Effect of supplementing a diet based on maize, rice bran and cassava chip with three different improved forages on feed intake, digestibility and growth in rabbit. MSc thesis, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Animal Nutrition and Management, Uppsala, Sweden, 2005 web icon
Iyeghe-Erakpotobor, G. T. ; Muhammad, I. R., 2008. Intake of tropical grass, legume and legume-grass mixtures by rabbits. Trop. Grassl., 42: 112-119 web icon
Kew Science, 2021. Plants of the World Online. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published on the Internet; http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/ Retrieved in 2021. Plants of the World Online. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. web icon
Laredo, C. M. A. ; Gomez, S. J., 1982. Nutritive value of tropical pastures. IV. Gamba grass (Andropogon gayanus, Kunth) annual and seasonal. Revista del Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario, 17 (1): 29-36
Lascano, C. E. ; Plazas, C., 1990. Protein and energy banks in the savanna of the eastern plains of Colombia. Pasturas Tropicales, 12 (1): 9-15
Muhammad, I. R. ; Abdu, M. I. ; Iyeghe-Erakpotobor, G. T. ; Sulaiman, K. A., 2009. Ensiling quality of gamba fortified with tropical legumes and its preference by rabbits. Res. J. Appl. Sci., 4 (1) : 20-25 web icon
Odedire, J. A. ; Babayemi, O. J., 2008. Comparative studies on the yield and chemical composition of Panicum maximum and Andropogon gayanus as influenced by Tephrosia candida and Leucaena leucocephala. Livest. Res. Rural Dev., 20 (2) web icon
Osakwe, I. I. ; Ekwe, O. O., 2007. Variation in relative palatability of different forages fed to rabbits. Anim. Res. Int., 4 (1) : 608-610 web icon
Ramirez, P. A., 1983. Improved meat yields with Andropogon in a mixed pasture. Pastos Tropicales, Boletin Informativo, 5 (3): 5-7
Sen, K. M. ; Macey, G. L., 1965. The chemical composition of some indigenous grasses of coastal savanna of Ghana at different stages of growth. 9th Int. Grassld Congr., p. 763
Tergas, L. E. ; Paladines, O. ; Kleinheisterkamp, I. ; Velasquez, J., 1984. The animal production potential of four associations between Andropogon gayanus Kunth and legumes in the eastern plains of Colombia. Trop. Anim. Prod., 9 (3): 165-174 web icon
Toledo, J. M. ; Vera, R. ; Lascano, C. ; Lenné, J. M., 1990. Andropogon gayanus Kunth: a grass for tropical acid soils. CIAT Publication N°90 web icon
Williams, D. G. ; Baruch, Z., 2000. African grass invasion in the Americas: ecosystem consequences and the role of ecophysiology. Biological Invasions, 2: 123–140 web icon
25 references found
Datasheet citation 

DATASHEET UNDER CONSTRUCTION. DO NOT QUOTE. https://www.feedipedia.org/node/510 Last updated on February 12, 2021, 16:56

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