Agronomic performance, dry matter yield stability and herbage quality of Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum (L.) Schumach) accessions in different agro-ecological zones of Ethiopia
Journal Title: Journal of Agricultural and Crop Research - Year 2017, Vol 5, Issue 4
Abstract
Ten Napier grass accessions were evaluated for agronomic performance, dry matter (DM) yield stability and nutritional attributes at Holetta, Debre zeit, Adamitulu, Areka and Hawassa agricultural research centers during the main cropping seasons of 2011 to 2014. The experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design with three replications. At planting, diammonium phosphate (DAP) at the rate of 100 kg/ha was uniformly applied and additionally urea at the rate of 50 kg/ha was top dressed after forage harvesting. Combined analysis of variance indicated that the tested genotypes varied significantly (P < 0.05) for plant height and forage DM yield. However, the test environments displayed significant variations for all measured agronomic and quality traits except the crude protein (CP) content. The genotype by environment (G × E) interaction effects also reveled significant differences for plant height, DM yield, ash content, CP yield, digestible yield and hemicelluloses content. Of the total variance of DM yield, environment main effect accounted for 40.6%, whereas genotype and G × E interaction effects accounted for 14.8% and 38.8% respectively. The highest mean DM yield was recorded at Adamitulu (13.06 t/ha) followed by Areka (12.80 t/ha), Hawassa (11.80 t/ha), Debre zeit (10.50 t/ha) and Holetta (7.05 t/ha). Different stability parameters and models indicated that Napier grass accessions such as 16817, 16783 and local were the most stable while accessions such as 16791 and 16815 were the most unstable genotypes across the tested environments. The CP and in-vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) were higher in the highlands while CP yield, digestible yield and most fiber components were relatively higher in the mid altitude areas indicating that temperature and amount of rainfall and its distribution had an adverse affect on the feed quality of Napier grass. Generally, Napier grass accessions such as 16817, 16783 and local are recommended for wider cultivation due to better DM yield stability performance across the test environments.
Authors and Affiliations
Gezahagn Kebede, Fekede Feyissa, Getnet Assefa, Mengistu Alemayehu, Alemayehu Mengistu, Aemiro Kehaliew, Kassahun Melese, Solomon Mengistu, Estifanos Tadesse, Shewangizaw Wolde, Mergia Abera
Keywords
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