Grass production and decomposition in Southern Guinea savanna, Nigeria.

Annual grass production in ungrazed plots was 2,731 kg ha, litter production was 1,619 kg ha and decomposition was 1,789 kg ha. In grazed plots the corresponding figures were 3,157 kg ha, 1,440 kg ha, and 1,475 kg ha respectively; cattle consumed 1,405 kg ha. Litter disappearance was greatest in the dry season: 1,226 kg ha (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 in December to March) by fungus-growing termites (Macrotermitinae). A positive linear relationship was found between maximum grass biomass and annual rainfall in West Africa.