The production and management of Stylosanthes gracilis at Shika, Nigeria:II. In savanna grassland

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Abstract
In an 80 acres (32·4 ha) grazing trial carried out over a 2-year period significant increases in cattle live-weight gains were achieved following the oversowing of savanna grassland by 4 lb/acre (1·8 kg/ha) of Stylosanthes gracilis (stylo) seed. The beneficial effects of the stylo was particularly apparent during the early part of the dry season. The early growth and subsequent survival of the stylo was not outstanding.Better results were achieved in a second experiment where stylo was grown as a pure crop and ration-grazed in the dry season in association with unimproved savanna. The live-weight gain of cattle grazing the stylo only during the 12 h night period was the same as cattle receiving 1·8 lb (0·82 kg) whole cotton seed per day. In general, cattle live-weight gains were directly proportional to the time spent on the stylo.