Effects of poultry manure rates on growth components and forage quality of Napier grass (<i>Pennisetum purpureum</i>) in semi-arid region of Maiduguri, Nigeria

The study evaluated the effects of poultry manure rates on forage quality of Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) at the Pasture Field Teaching and Research Farm, Department of Animal Science, University of Maiduguri. Poultry manure was composted and applied at the rates of 0, 6 and 8 t/ha designated as treatments 1, 2 and 3, respectively in a Randomized Complete Block Design. Forage was harvested at 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks after sowing (WAS) and the forage dry matter yields were determined. Thereafter, growth components of plant regrowth were measured at 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks. The data obtained were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The chemical compositions of Napier grass were not significantly (P>0.05) different among the treatments except for ash content in T1 (0t/ha) which had a higher value (6.25%). There were significant (P<0.05) differences in some growth components of the Napier grass, with T3 (8t/ha) having a higher regrowth height in all the weeks. However, T1 was significantly (P<0.05) different in leaf length among the treatments in all the weeks. Number of leaves and leaf width varied only in 6th week while the remaining weeks were not statistically (P>0.05) different. There was no significant (P>0.05) variation in fresh and dry herbage yield of Napier grass. The response of Napier grass to poultry manure on regrowth height was significantly (P<0.05) different at 6th, 8th, 10th and 12th weeks and between the treatments. The results of this study showed that plant regrowth increases with increase in age. It was concluded that application of poultry manure up to 8t/ha had no effect on forage fresh and dry herbage yield and all chemical composition except ash content of Napier grass and its regrowth height.