Influence of different vermicompost levels on growth, yield and quality of forage Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench )

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of vermicompost fertilizer level on growth, dry matter yield and quality of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench)). This study was arranged using a split-plot in time trial design with the main plot of each main harvest and the level of application of vermicompost fertilizer as subplots. The vermicompost fertilizer were : P0= 0 kg vermicompost/ha (0 kg N/ha, 0 kg P2O5/ha, 0 kg K2O/ha); P1 = 5.000 kg vermicompost/ha (30.5 kg N/ha, 11 kg P2O5/ha, 41 kg K2O/ha); P2 =10.000 kg vermicompost/ha (61 kg N/ha, 22 kg P2O5/ha, 82 kg K2O/ha); P3= 15.000 kg vermicompost/ha (91.50 kg N/ha, 33 kg P2O5/ha, 123 kg K2O/ha), respectively. The variables in this study included the plant height, dry matter yield, crude protein, crude fiber, NDF and ADF. The results showed that if the vermicompost fertilizer dosage was increased the plant height, dry matter yield and crude protein would increase, but did not affect the crude fiber, NDF and ADF. Regrowth (ratoon) influences plant height and dry matter yield, while crude protein and crude fiber and ADF do not affect. It can be concluded that applying vermicompost fertilizer significantly increased growth, dry matter yield and significantly affected crude protein, while regrowth resulted in lower growth and dry matter yield.