Optimizing Cutting Interval and Nitrogen Fertilizer Level for Enhanced Panicum (Panicum maximum L.) Forage Yield and Quality in Egypt

A filed experiment was conducted at a sandy soil experimental farm located in El Salhia El kadima, Fakous District, Sharqia Governorate, Egypt during 2020 and 2021 years. A randomized complete block design in split plot arrangement was used to study the effect of two cutting intervals (28 and 38 days) and three nitrogen fertilizer levels (40, 80, 120 kg N/fed.) as well as their interaction on the forage yield and quality of Panicum maximum plants. Cutting intervals were assigned to main plots while nitrogen fertilizer levels were allocated to sub plots. Results indicated that longer cutting interval (38 days) resulted in taller plants with significant higher number of tillers/m2, leaf/stem ratio, total green, and dry forage yields. Meanwhile, nitrogen fertilization at 120 kg N/fed. contributed to the tallest plants, highest number of tillers/m2, green forage yield, and crude protein content. The difference between 80 kg N/fed and 120 kg N/fed was insignificant in most studied traits. The interaction between cutting intervals and nitrogen fertilizer levels was not significant for most studied traits. Based on the study's results, it can be stated that panicum plants should be cut every 38 days and fertilized with 80 kg N/fed for increasing the potential forage yield and its quality.