title: Grass production and decomposition in Southern Guinea savanna, Nigeria.
abstract: Annual grass production in ungrazed plots was 2,731 kg ha-1, litter production was 1,619 kg ha-1and decomposition was 1,789 kg ha-1. In grazed plots the corresponding figures were 3,157 kg ha-1, 1,440 kg ha-1, and 1,475 kg ha-1respectively; cattle consumed 1,405 kg ha-1. Litter disappearance was greatest in the dry season: 1,226 kg ha-1(69% of the annual total) disappearing in the 4 months of December to March in the ungrazed plots, largely due to consumption (790 kg ha-1in December to March) by fungus-growing termites (Macrotermitinae). A positive linear relationship was found between maximum grass biomass and annual rainfall in West Africa.
authors.affiliation: Termite Research Project, Agricultural Research Station, Mokwa via Jebba, Nigeria.
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Ohiagu
authors.affiliation: Termite Research Project, Agricultural Research Station, Mokwa via Jebba, Nigeria.
authors.forename: T G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Wood