Denbela Hidosa* and Worku Bedeke
This study was conducted at on station of Jinka agricultural research center with objective of identifying appropriate fertilizer rate and spacing for Pennisetum pedicellatum grass. The splits of grass were planted on plot area of 4 m × 3 m=12 m2 under fertilizers rate of 50 kg ha-1 DAP and 50 kg ha-1 urea (R1); 100 kg ha-1 DAP and 150 kg ha-1 urea (R2) and 100 kg ha-1 DAP and 200 kg ha-1 urea respectively with spacing 0.25 cm × 0.5 cm (L1), 0.5 cm × 0.75 cm (L2), 0.75 cm × 1 m (L3) and 1 m × 1.25 m (L4) in randomized completed block design with three replications in factorial arrangements. The results indicated that dry matter yield and tillers per plant were significantly affected (P<0.05) by intra row spacing between the L1 and L2, L1 and L3, and L1 and L4; but it was not significantly (P<0.05) affected intra row spacing among L2, L3 and L4. The results from the current study also revealed that significantly (P<0.05) highest dry matter yield and tillers per plant were obtained for application of 100:150 kg ha-1 DAP and urea and but it was not significant (P>0.05) for plots that had fertilized with 50:50 kg ha-1 DAP and urea and 100:150 kg ha-1 DAP and urea respectively. The promising dry matter yield t/ha was obtained from intra row spacing L1 with application of fertilizer rate R2. Therefore, it was recommended that those farmers who live within area where land shortage problem to use finding from our study in order to improve the dry matter production. Whereas, it is better to apply 100:150 kg ha-1 DAP and urea for youth/non-employed group and investors who are participated in forage seed production.
Published Date: 2024-07-29; Received Date: 2019-09-30
