Effects of Fertilizer Type and Grass Species on Agronomic Performances and Chemical Composition in Gozamin District, East Gojjam Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

The field experiment was conducted in rainy season to evaluate the effects of fertilizer type and grass species on agronomic performances and nutritive value of grass. The study was conducted 3x4 factorial arrangements with 3 grass species (Buffel, Setaria and Desho) and 4 four fertilizer type (Ft); Ft1 (control), Ft2 (50 kg urea+60 quintal of compost/ha), Ft3 (100 kg urea/ha) and Ft4 (120 quintal of compost/ha) with 3 replications was used. The data were collected agronomic performances such as plant height, number tillers per plant, number leaves per plant, leaf length and dry matter yield (DMY). Chemical analysis was conducted for dry matter (DM %), Ash, crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL) was quantified. Results indicated that the agronomic performances and dry matter yield were significantly affected by fertilizer types, grass species and their interactions while interactions had no significant (P>0.05) effect on chemical analysis. Only chemical analysis no significantly (P>0.05) affected by grass species was crude protein (CP). However, fertilizer type was significantly (P<0.01) affected CP, NDF and ADL as well as ADF and Ash content (P<0.001), but non-significant (P>0.05) effect on DM %. The highest dry matter yield (DMY), crude protein (CP) and Ash content were obtained at received Ft2 (50 kg urea+ 60 quintal of compost/ha, whereas Ft1 (control) lowest in parameter. Higher NDF, ADF and ADL were recorded for unfertilized group. It could be concluded that, combined application of urea and compost showed a positive result on agronomic performance and forage quality. It could be suggested that Desho grass can be cultivated with 50 kg urea+ 60 quintal of compost/ha is important for maximize production with forage quality and sustainability of animal production in Gozamen district.