Comparison between Urea and Goat Manure as Sources of Nitrogen for Napier Grass Grown on Terraced Hill

Abstract

Effects of two nitrogen (N) sources on dry matter (DM) yield and nutritive value of Napier grass were evaluated. The nitrogen (N) fertiliser (at rate of 300 kg N ha?1 year?1) was applied by dividing the terraces of a hill under two treatments: T1 (urea) and T2 (goat manure). There were three replicates of each treatment arranged within three blocks in a completely randomised design. Grass was cut at about 60?day interval. In the first to fourth harvests, grass receiving manure had higher plant height than those with urea application. Grass receiving manure had higher DM yield than urea in almost all of the cuttings. In the fourth harvest, grass receiving urea contained higher DM and organic matter (OM) than manure. Similar result was found for fifth harvest where urea gave higher crude protein (CP) than manure. Irrespective of harvesting frequencies, average DM, OM, CP and neutral detergent fibre contents were not significantly different between grasses fertilised with manure and urea. In conclusion, manure is recommended for economical cultivation of Napier grass on terrace of hill.

Keywords

• fertiliser
• terraced hill
• yield
• Napier grass