Advanced Journal of Environmental Science and Technology ISSN: ISSN: 2136-3468 Vol. 5(4), pp. 247-255, October, 2018.  © Advanced Scholars Journals 

Full length Research paper

Hydrolysis Features of Field persistent swards in Abuja

Ayanitor AA and Musa BM*

Faculty of Science, Department of Environmental Science and Agricultural Technology, University of Abuja , Abuja.Nigeria.

Accepted 7 August, 2018

Abstract 

Recognition of plant property that persist under grassland pressure, maintain desirable levels of production and at the same time protect the grassland environment is central to sustainable livestock production. This study assessed the infiltration capacity and soil loss associated with persistent swards subjected to different levels of utilization using simulated rainfall. The hypothesis was tested that grassland persistent swards have similar hydrologic properties and threshold removal levels below which runoff increases markedly. Infiltration capacity for the persistent swards increased with increasing stubble height before leveling off towards the highest stubble height. A 50% removal of current growth was the upper limit above which runoffs from the swards increased rapidly. Aggregate stability, organic carbon and percent ground plant cover were the most significant attributes that influenced infiltration capacity. Panicum maximum and Enteropogon macrostachyus were the most suitable persistent swards with favourable soil physical properties and infiltration capacities in the study area. The results support the existence of a threshold level of sward stubble height for minimizing runoff.

Key words: Persistent swards, organic carbon, sward stubble, grassland pressure Infiltration capacity.