Abstract
This experiment was carried out to evaluate the nutritive value of nine Pennisetum purpureum varieties as ruminant feed, with the application of organic manures. The research was 3×9 factorial arrangement in a split plot design. Experimental P. purpureum included Abeokuta 1, Abeokuta 2, F1 Hybrid, Green Local, Purple Local, Sugarcane, South Africa, S13 and S15, and three manure types (control, swine and cattle). Results showed that the P. purpureum fertilised with cattle dung had (p < 0.05) higher dry matter (91.92 %), crude protein (CP) content (9.78 %) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) content (61.10 %) than other treatments. Fi hybrid variety recorded the highest CP (8.93 %) and lowest NDF (57.80 %) contents and purple local variety had the least CP (8.37 %) content. Cattle dung fertilised grasses recorded higher calcium (8.77 g/kg) and phosphorus (2.06 g/kg) content compare to its counterpart, South Africa variety of P. purpureum recorded the highest (9.81 g/kg) Ca content. This study shows that farmers who value high‐quality feed would benefit from the cultivation of F1 hybrid variety of P. purpureum and cattle dung is recommended for the fertilisation of the varieties evaluated.