Nitrogen and Row Spacing on Digitaria eriantha Production and Digestibility

Abstract

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Nitrogen fertilization and row spacing effects on Digitaria eriantha

“…This species can be established using stolon scions or seeds. Although D. eriantha is associated with well managed vegetation, this species also becomes abundant in moderately severely overgrazed vegetation (Theunissen 1997 This research is a follow -up of another, previous study in D. eriantha (Gargano et al 2003) where yields responded to N fertilization, mainly when it was split rather than applied at once. In that study, no definite yield response was observed when sowing at different row spacings.…”

“…Hanson et al (1978) reported that applying N fertilizer after the first cutting in 3 perennial grass species increased second cutting forage N content, indicating forage responded more from a split than from a single application. Gargano et al (2003) also reported that dry matter yields were greater in D. eriantha under a split than bulk application of N fertilizer. Bittman and Kowalenko (1998) concluded that split applications could have practical advantages, even with no yield increases, by evening out the yield and crude-protein concentration over the season.…”

“…Yields of protein dry matter were similar or greater at 30 than at 50 cm row spacing. The effects of the rate of N fertilization and row spacing were mainly determined through its effects on dry matter yields (Gargano et al 2003) because CP only responded to N fertilization. In 1999 -2000, yield of protein dry matter depended on both dry matter yields (Gargano et al 2003) and CP levels.…”

“…There is some agriculture, which mostly includes wheat production. Further details on location and edaphic characteristics at the experimental site, soil tillage, sowing and plot size are given in Gargano et al (2003). Climate data at the study area are given in Table 1.…”

“…At clipping, forage was hand clipped leaving 5 cm stubble whenever plants reached 26 -28 cm height. Number of clippings taken within each season and study cycle was reported by Gargano et al (2003). Forage was dried at 65° C for 72 hours, weighed and ground through a cyclone mill with a 1 -mm screen for chemical analysis.…”