Morphological Parameters and Dry Matter Yield of Brachiaria Decumbens ILRI-10871 Variety Influenced by Fertilizer Application under Rain Fed Conditions

Abstract

Mekuanint Tadilo Netsanet Beyero and Melkamu Bezabih

The purpose of this experiment was to assess the morphological parameters and dry matter yield of Brachiaria decumbens ILRI-10871 grown for two years under four fertilizer rates (0,100, 300kg N and manure). The field experiment was carried out at Robit Bata Kebele in the Bahir Dar Zuria district of Amhara region, Ethiopia. Each 9-m2 plot in the treatments was arranged in a 4x2 factorial configuration in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Morphological data were collected from 10 randomly selected plants grown in the middle rows of each plot. All recorded datasets were subjected to a general linear model procedure of SAS (9.0) at a significance level of alpha <0.05. The findings demonstrated that the morphological characteristics and dry matter yield were strongly impacted by the interaction of fertilizer application and year. The tallest plant (61.93 and 102.33cm), the highest number of tillers per plant (30.67 and 120.56) and the highest dry matter yield (12.5 and 21.88 t/ha) when measured at manure fertilizer in the first and second year production, respectively. Moreover, the highest net benefit was obtained from manure fertilizer (22000.44 and 35456.61birr) in the first and second years, respectively. Therefore, in the research areas and similar agro-ecologies, the Brachiaria decumbens ILRI-10871 with manure fertilizer would have a more advantageous production performance to meet forage quantity and economic feasibility.

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