Effects of Different Levels of Fertilizer Combination on Growth, Quality and Yield of Rhodes Grass (Chloris Gayana) Cultivars in Kithoka, Meru County, Kenya

Abstract

The livestock productivity is affected by several constraints which include poor genetic potential of breed, inadequate quality and quantity feed, livestock diseases and lack of adequate livestock extension services. Therefore, livestock production can be improved by cultivating fodder crops that are of high quality. The quality of fodder is generally low especially in crude protein (CP) content during the dry season. As a result livestock productivity and reproductive efficiency become low. Thus improved fodder production is needed through cultivation of improved forages. Production of forage is important and plays an effective role in development of livestock production systems. However, high quality and quantity of forage production has been a challenge to most livestock keepers due to lack of knowledge on the optimum dosage of both organic and in-organic fertilizers for improved grasses. The study was carried out at Kenya Methodist University farm in Kithoka, Meru County. The objective of this work was to determine growth, biomass yield and quality of two varieties of Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana): Bhoma Rhodes grass and Katambora Rhodes grass varieties as animal feeds. The Bhoma variety is commonly grown in the region unlike Katambora variety. The soil analysis showed that the soil had adequate levels of Phosphorus, Potassium and Calcium. The treatments comprised of; control (L1) = 0 Kg CAN/ha and 0 tons Manure/ha, L2=75 kg CAN/ha and 5 tons Manure/ha, L3=100 kg CAN/ha and 10 tons Manure/ha and L4= 125 kg CAN/ha and 15 tons Manure/ha with two varieties of Rhodes grass. Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was used at field level with 9 blocks of 2 m by 1 m separated by 1.0 m pathway. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted and significant means were separated using Least Significant difference (LSD). Application of different fertilizer combination levels had significant effect (P <0.000) on all agronomic parameters. Fertilizer combination did not have significant effect on ash content (P=0.215), nitrogen free extract (P= 0.006), metabolizable energy (P= 0.248) and invitro dry matter digestibility (P = 0.940) while there was significant effect on % dry matter, ether extract, crude protein and crude fibre. The study conclude that maximum plant attributes were produced in treatment of 125 kg CAN/ha + 15 manure/ha hence it’s the best regime recommended to the farmers. Bhoma Rhodes grass variety is better suited to climatic conditions of Kithoka because it responded better on the treatments.