The effect of tree canopy cover on the yield, crude protein (CP), and
fibre content of grass species in the Nigerian Guinea savanna was stud
ied. The following grass species, Andropogon gayanus, Hyparrhenia invo
lucrata, Hyparrhenia smithiana, Pennisetum polystachion, Rottboellia c
ochinchinensis, and Setaria barbata occur more under tree canopies tha
n in the open. The overall yield under tree canopy and in the open was
influenced by the proportionate contribution of these species to the
total yield. Grass yields were significantly higher under canopies pro
vided by trees taller than 7 m than under shorter canopies. The differ
ence between percentage CP, fibre, and lignin in plants growing under
tree canopies and those in the open were not significant.