Effect of Nitrogen Fertilization and Spacing on Chemical Composition of Rhodes Grass (Chloris gayana Tan) in the Dry Sub Humid Zone of Sokoto, Nigeria

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the 2016 and 2017 rainy seasons at Centre for Agriculture and Pastoral Research (CAPAR) of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Nigeria to study the effect of nitrogen fertilizer and inter-row spacing on chemical compositions of Rhodes grass. A factorial combination of five fertilizer levels (0, 100, 120, 140 and 160 kgNha-1) and three inter row spacing (30, 50 and 70 cm) were used, making (15) treatments combinations, which were laid out in a RCBD replicated four times. The data obtained was subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA), using CRD with two repetitions, Least Significant difference (LSD was used for the separation of means. The sample for each treatment was analyzed for chemical composition using A.O.A.C procedure (CP) was determined by Kjeldahl method, Ash was determined by burning the herbage sample in a furnace at 550-650°C for 3 hours. Ether extract (EE) was estimated by using Sohlex extraction method, crude fibre (CF) was determined by sequential acid and alkali extractions from the residue obtained after fat extraction. Nitrogen free extract (NFE) was calculated as residual component of the feed dry matter; the result revealed that, application of 160 kgNha-1 consistently recorded higher values (P<005) for CP, NFE and EE and lower values for the CF and Ash contents of the samples. 70cm Spacing showed superiority among the treatments in the chemical compositions investigated compared to 50 and 30 cm spacings. It may be concluded that application of 160 kgNha-1 and 70 cm spacing gave better (P<0.05) nutrient quality of Rhodes grass in the study area.