Forage yield and quality response of Napier grass (Cenchrus purpureus) to different dry season harvesting management under the subhumid agroecology of western Ethiopia

Abstract

A 3 × 2 factorial study was conducted in 2015, 2016 and 2017, to assess the impact of dry season cutting management on fodder yield and quality of Napier grass. Three harvesting times (November, January and March) and two stubble-cutting heights (20 and 30 cm) were used in the study. The results revealed that the dry matter (DM) yield and leaf:stem ratio records in 2015 and 2016 were much higher than in 2017. Tilling performance was lower in 2017 than in 2015 and 2016. The highest DM yields were recorded during harvesting time in March. In the November harvest, however, the leaf:stem ratio was greater. In addition, tilling performance was better in March and November than it was in January. Overall, cutting at a height of 30 cm resulted in better DM yield and tiller numbers than cutting at a height of 20 cm. Experimental years and cutting height did not affect crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) or acid detergent fibre (ADF). Harvesting times did, however, affect CP, NDF and ADF. As CP was greater in November than in March and both NDF and ADF levels were higher in March, cutting in November at 30 cm is advised.