Effects of fertilizers and rates of application on growth and yields of Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana cv. Callide)

Abstract

Two field experiments were conducted at Dagwom farm, National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria. The objective of the research was to compare the effects of three fertilizers (urea, NPK and poultry manure) and four rates of application (coded 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th to represent  either 0, 150, 300 and 450 kg N ha1 for urea and NPK or 0, 25, 50 and 75 t ha1 for poultry manure) on the growth, fresh herbage and dry matter yields of a 2 year old Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana cv. Callide) pasture. Twelve factorial treatments were fitted into a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and replicated 3 times. The variables measured were sward height (cm), fresh herbage and dry matter yields (t ha1). Poultry manure was  comparable to NPK and furnished significantly better growth, higher fresh herbage and dry matter yields than urea. The   significantly (p< 0.05) tallest sward (58.10 cm) was obtained from poultry fertilizer. Similarly, the significantly heaviest dry matter yields of 15.30 and 18.20 t ha1 were produced with the 3rd and 4th rates of poultry fertilizer application, respectively. Rhodes grass could provide substantial quantities of fodder for ruminant nutrition if fertilizer application is adequate. Poultry manure should therefore be harnessed for increased production of Rhodes grass at NVRI, Vom.

Keywords: Rhodes grass, poultry manure, urea