Screening and selection of Brachiaria brizantha accessions for forage values under irrigation at Wondo Genet, Sidama, Ethiopia

The experiment was conducted to evaluate different Brachiaria brizantha accessions at the Wondo genet agricultural research center to identify species/accessions so as to use the better performing ecotype for wider distribution among livestock producer communities in the country. Seven Brachiaria grass accessions (B. brizantha, 13151; B. brizantha, 13368; B. brizantha, 13653; B. brizantha, 16550; B. humidicola, 9222; B. brizantha, 13379 and B. mutica,) were used as treatments in randomized complete block design with three replications. The overall dry matter yield for B. humidicola, 9222 (5.95t/ha), and B. mutica, (5.61t/ha) accessions didn’t show a significant difference (p > 0.05) but significantly (p < 0.05) lower than all other accessions. Mean plant heights for the accessions were significantly different (p < 0.05) throughout the harvesting cycle period and overall yield with a lower plant height of B. mutica (63.2 cm) while non-significant (p > 0.05) overall mean height was recorded among other accessions. B. brizantha, 13151; B. brizantha, 13368; B. brizantha, 13653; B. brizantha, 16550 and B. brizantha, 13379 accessions outperformed in terms of overall dry matter yield. Further studies on agronomic performances of promising B. brizantha accessions under on-farm conditions and nutritional evaluation involving live-animal experiments are recommended.