Tropicultura (Jan 1995)
Effect of Fertilization and Cutting Frequency on the Yield of Brachiaria Ruziziensis Germain and Evrard in Adamawa Plateau-Cameroon
Abstract
A study of the effect of nitrogen fertilizer (in the presence of potassium and phosphorus) and cutting frequency on the yield of Brachiaria ruziziensis was undertaken at the Wakwa animal Research Station on ferralitic soil. A 7x3 factorial design was used. The treatments were seven levels of nitrogen fertilizer (0, 40, 50, 60, 70 and 90 units of nitrogen) and three cutting frequencies (heavy : 30 days, moderate : 45 days and light : 60 days). Single application of 100 units of triple superphosphate and potassium sulfate per hectare and nitrogen at the above mentioned rates was made at the beginning of each rainy season. Later, after each cutting nitrogen alone was applied. Results of three years of study indicate that fertilization consistently increased the yield of Brachiaria ruziziensis compared to non-fertilized plots by as much as 132.8 %, 133.7 % and 92.83 % respectively in 1985, 1986 and 1987. Polynomial adjustment of means equally gave very good results as shown by the relatively hight coefficient of determination as R2 (0.93 in 1985, 0.99 in 1986 and 0.76 in 1987). Herbage yield was greater from plots clipped every 30 days than from those clipped every 45 or 60 days. This suggests that productivity of Brachiaria ruziziensis seeded pastures can be improved when rotational grazing with a rest period of about thirty days is practiced.
