Effects of eucalyptus wood (Eucalyptus globulus) ash on biomass yield and nutritive value of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) at Habru District, North Wollo Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the biomass yield and chemical composition of Elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) at two successive harvests using five levels of eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) ash as a fertilizer. Thus, a 2 x 5 factorial experiment was used in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. The factors considered were successive harvests (first harvest performed after 90 days of planting and second harvest after 70 days of first harvest), and five levels of eucalyptus ash (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 kg/m2). The highest plant height (2.5 ± 0.14 m) was recorded on plots to which a 2.0 kg/m2 eucalyptus ash was applied. The highest mean value of tiller numbers per plant (41± 1.5), green biomass yield (GB) (5.8 ± 0.2 MT/ha) and CP contents (8.85 %) were significantly increased with an increase in the level of eucalyptus ash with increasing successive harvests. The highest mean dry matter yield (DMY) 6.2 ± 0.16 was attained at the first harvest which receives 2.0 kg/m2 of eucalyptus ash. The highest mean value of ash (20.9 ± 8.4) was recorded at the two higher ash levels at the first harvest. However, the lowest mean value of NDF (53.3 ± 3.35) and ADF (40 ± 0) were recorded at the second harvest with the highest ash levels. All the fiber contents of the forage grass decreased with increase in successive harvests and amount of ash levels. It can be concluded that the second harvest and application of 2.0 kg/m2 of eucalyptus ash improved yield and nutritive value of elephant grass.