Evaluation of the effect of cutting height on dm forage yield and quality of Napier grass (Pennisetum Purpureum) in northeastern part of Wello
2001
Samuel Menbere(Ethiopian Agricultural Research Organization, Addis Abeba (Ethiopia)) | Mesfin Dejene(Ethiopian Agricultural Research Organization, Addis Abeba (Ethiopia))
The dry matter (DM) yield and quality (leaf part proportion and CP) performance of four pennisetum lines at six different cutting height were evaluated in northeastern part of Wello for three consecutive years. Best line and cutting height were identified based on total dry matter yield, leaf proportion and CP yield per ha. It was found that ILCA 14984 produced significantly (p0.01) higher leaf proportion of 72.5% with the second highest total DM yield of 10.47 t/ha. Followed by Holetta X, with leaf proportion and total DM yield of 68.26% and 10.11 t/ha respectively. While the other lines gave proportion of leaf ranging from 64.10% to 65.39%. Cutting height had shown significant (p0.01) effect on total DM yield and leaf proportion. Among the cutting heights studied, harvesting at 1.5 m of height produce highest total DM yield of 12.16 t/ha with leaf proportion of 68.29%. However, significantly (p0.01) higher leaf proportion of 77.46% was obtained at 1.25 m of height. While the other cutting heights produced a total Dm yield ranging from 8.67-11.90 t/ha. Except on DM content (%), both cutting height and pennisetum line had not significant effect on nutrient content. However, harvesting at 1.5 m and control (harvesting after one year of establishment) height gave the highest CP yield (0.45 t/ha) and DM content (24.38%) respectively. Among the evaluated Pennisetum lines Sirinka Y gave the highest CP yield (0.44 t/ha). Therefore, based on the total DM yield, leaf part proportion and CP yield performancethe optimum cutting height of pennisetum lines in the northeastern part of Wello is 1.5 m. The best pennisetum line in overall performance was ILCA No. 14984 followed by Sirinka Y line. Further studies should be carried out to evaluate additional pure and hybrid lines for better DM yield and chemical composition.
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