Optimizing Productivity of Buffel and Sudan Grasses Using Optimal Nitrogen Fertilizer Application under Arid Conditions

Abstract

Most arid and semiarid areas are bare and greatly infested with intrusive wild species. Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.) and Sudan grass (Sorghum sudanense Piper.) are the supreme drought-tolerant grasses that are commonly grown in dry regions. Besides water, nitrogen (N) is a vital element limiting the growth, yield, and herbage quality of such grasses since it has key roles in physiological and biochemical functions in plants. Hence, this study aimed at assessing the performance of Buffel and Sudan grasses under nitrogen fertilization in Mandera County. This study comprised a field trial laid as a split plot in a randomized complete block design with grasses being assigned to the main plots, whereas N rates (0, 35, 70, 105, and 140 kg N ha−1) occupied the subplots. Data were collected on growth parameters (plant height, leaf length, number of leaves per plant, leaf width, stem girth, and tiller number), yield parameters (shoot weight, root weight, and aboveground biomass yield—DBY), and quality attributes (acid detergent fiber—ADF, crude protein—CP, and neutral detergent fiber—NDF). Across the seasons, plant height progressively increased with increasing N rates up to a maximum of 141 and 246 cm for Buffel grass and Sudan grass, respectively, which were associated with a 105 kg N ha−1 rate. Nonetheless, there was no noteworthy enhancement in plant height (142 and 246 cm) with an additional upsurge in N fertilizer rate to 140 kg N ha−1 relative to the one of 105 kg N ha−1. Regarding the leaf length, Sudan grass had longer and wider leaves at all treatment levels than the Buffel grass. Plant height, leaf length, width, and the number of leaves per plant increased with increasing N level up to the rate of 140 kg N ha−1, though this was not statistically different from the rate of 105 kg N ha−1 for both kinds of grass. The results revealed that Sudan grass contained higher crude protein than Buffel grass at all levels of treatments (10.33 and 8.80% at the rate of 105 kg N ha−1, respectively). More so, crude protein content was found to be higher in plots where N application was performed than in the control plots. There were great associations between the dependent variables (DBY, ADF, NDF, and CP) and independent variables (plant height, leaf length, No. of leaves, leaf width, stem girth, and No. of tillers), with the coefficient of regression ranging from 0.56 to 0.96 for Buffel grass and 0.59 to 0.96 for Sudan grass. Findings from this study indicate that for optimal growth, yield, and nutrient content benefits, Buffel and Sudan grasses ought to be grown using nitrogen fertilizer at a 105 kg N ha−1 rate.

Synthetic Fertilizer Application Coupled with Bioslurry Optimizes Potato (Solanum tuberosum) Growth and Yield

“…This corresponds with the results obtained by Surindra [32]. Furthermore, Sarwar et al [33] and Alhammad et al [34] observed that plant height increase was also attributed to bioslurry fertilizer, which probably contains various essential macro-and micronutrients that are needed for the healthy growth of plants. Slurry compost can provide the required nutrients to crops, thus improving soil fertility, which boosts the general growth performance and health of crops.…”

Moderate nitrogen application facilitates Bt cotton growth and suppresses population expansion of aphids (Aphis gossypii) by altering plant physiological characteristics

“…The leaf area of two cotton cotyledons was measured on day 7 post nitrogen fertilization, while the leaf area of the first leaf (along the cotton plant counted from the top down) was calculated on day 14 and 30 post nitrogen ferelization, respectively. The stem length is measured through a ruler, as previously described ( Shao et al., 2016 ; Alhammad et al., 2023 ).…”

A Genome-Wide Association Study of Biomass Yield and Feed Quality in Buffel Grass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.)

“…Under no input production conditions, it can produce up to 18 t DM (dry matter)/ha/annum [25] and forage with a crude protein content of 6-16% [22]. Buffel grass has been reported to produce DM yields of up to 12 t/ha in Kenya [26,27], 8 t/ha in USA [28], 7 t/ha in Pakistan [29] and 21 t/ha in Ethiopia [30]. Improved forage varieties that are better adapted to produce more quality biomass across a range of agroecologies and production systems are a prerequisite and are required more than ever for supporting enhanced livestock production in a sustainable manner [31].…”