Effects of Phosphorus and Harvest Time on Dry Matter Yield, Nitrogen and Phosphorus Contents of Horsegram Macrotyloma uniflorum

Abstract

A two year field study was conducted at Shika, Northern Nigeria to determine the effects of phosphorus levels (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg P205/ha) and harvest times (6, 9, 12 and 15 weeks after planting, WAP) on dry matter yield (DM), N and P distribution in plant parts of horsegram (Macrotyloma uniflorum). Leafand stem DM yields (2.8 and 2.3 t/ha) were hig-hest (P <0.05) when 80 kg P205/ha was applied. Total DM yields ranged from 1.9 t/ha in the control to 5.1 t/ha at the 80 kg P205/ha treatment. The leaf (2.9 t/ha) and stem (2.6 t/ha) DM yields were greatest at 12 and 15 WAP respectively. The total DM yields were lowest (2.3 t/ha) and highest (5.3 t/ha) at 6 and 12 WAP respectively. The application of 80 kg P205/ha when harvested 9 WAP favoured total plant N content. The P content in the herbage increased with increase in P application, and was highest at 6 WAP.

Keywords

• Macrotyloma uniflorum
• Phosphorus
• Nitrogen and P contents
• Stage of growth
• Forage yield
• Nigeria