EFFICACY OF VERMICOMPOST AND UREA ON FORAGE GRASS GROWTH, YIELD, AND SOIL PROPERTIES IN ETHIOPIA

Enyew Mekcha, Bimrew Asmare, Netsanet Beyero, Shigdaf Mekuriaw

Abstract


Background: Utilizing improved forage grasses such as Napier (Pennisetum purpureum, acc. 15743), Desho (Pennisetum glaucifolium), and Gunia (Panicum maximum) grasses with proper management practices has the potential to solve the feed scarcity challenges in Ethiopia. Objective: To evaluate the effect of vermicompost (VC) and urea on the morphological characteristics and dry matter yield (DMY) of Napier, Desho, and Gunia grasses, as well as soil chemical properties across different altitudes of northwestern Ethiopia. Methodology: The experiments were conducted at mid and high-altitude locations using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with a factorial arrangement and three replications. The treatments used were control (no fertilizer), 100% Vermicompost, 100% urea, 30% urea + 70% vermicompost, and 70% urea VC +30% vermicompost. Morphological parameters like plant height (PH), number of tillers per plant (NTPP), number of leaves per plant (NLPP), and Leaf length per plant (LLPP) were measured. The DMY t ha−1 and leaf-to-stem ratio (LSR) were also measured. Soil chemical properties were analyzed before and after forage cultivation, and the composition of vermicompost was also analyzed. Results: Results showed that fertilizer treatments positively influenced the morphological parameters, DMY t ha−1, and soil chemical properties compared to the control treatment. Combined application of urea and vermicompost generally performed better than individual application, however, the difference among the combined treatments was not statistically significant. Better performance of forage grass was observed at the mid-altitude compared to the high altitude, with Napier grass showing the highest DMY t ha−1. Implications: The findings highlight the importance of altitude, forage grass species, and fertilizer application in enhancing soil chemical properties and productivity of forage grasses in Ethiopian farming systems. The combined use of vermicompost and urea shows promising potential and could be prioritized to optimize forage grass production. Conclusion: The application of vermicompost, urea, and their combination significantly improves the morphological parameters, DMY t ha−1, and soil chemical properties compared to the control treatment. To sustainably improve the productivity of livestock feed resources in Ethiopia, integrating improved forage varieties with enhanced agronomic management practices, particularly proper fertilizer application, is strongly recommended. 

Keywords


Fertilizer treatment; Dry matter yield; Forage grass; Vermicompost – Urea integration; Soil Fertility

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References


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URN: http://www.revista.ccba.uady.mx/urn:ISSN:1870-0462-tsaes.v28i2.62209

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.56369/tsaes.6220

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