Boot Stage Forage Yield and Quality of Pearl Millet as Influenced by Organo-mineral Fertilizer Rates in Humid Rainforest Zone of Nigeria
A. J. Ajayi *
Department of Horticulture and Landscape Technology, Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, Nigeria.
G. O. Ajayi
Department of Crop Production Technology, Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, Nigeria.
S. I. Nwagbara
Department of Crop Production Technology, Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
An experiment was conducted at the experimental site of Federal College of Agriculture, Akure to investigate the effects of different levels of organo-mineral fertilizer (OMF) on forage yield and quality of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L) R.Br). The experiment was arranged in randomized complete block design with three replications. Five levels of OMF at 0 (control), 1, 2, 3, 4t/ha and 100 kg/ha N.P.K. 15:15:15 were used. Pearl millet seeds were sown at the rate of 10 kg/ha. Statistical analysis showed significant differences in the plant height, fresh and dry forage yield obtained at boot stage. The following ranges were obtained in the investigated traits among the fertilizer applications; plant height 1.08-2.54 m, fresh forage yield 24.37-59.10t/ha and dry matter yield of 4.25-10.67 t/ha. Quality parameters (CP, CF, EE, NFE and Ash) showed significant increase with higher levels of OMF applied. The ranges obtained were: CP 8.56-13.32%, EE 15.82-16.1%, EE 7.14-8.69%, Ash 11.46-16.07%, NFE 33.38-44.48 and moisture content 9.49-11.58%. The study concludes that organo-mineral fertilizer application at 4t/ha is particularly effective in improving the forage yield and quality of pearl millet.
Keywords: Crude protein, forage yield, proximate composition, boot stage, pearl millet, organo-mineral fertilizer