EFFECTS OF COW DUNG, GRASSCUTTER DROPPINGS AND NPK FERTILIZER ON DRY MATTER YIELD AND NUTRITIONAL VALUE OF ELEPHANT GRASS (PENNISETUM PURPUREUM)

Abstract

The nutritional quality of forages is paramount in any forage-based livestock production. The current study was conducted at the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Management, University for Development Studies, Ghana during the year 2019. This study compared the effect of fertilizers on the growth performance and nutritive value of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum). The study determined the influence of cow dung, grasscutter droppings and NPK fertilizer on the levels of crude protein, crude fat, carbohydrate, moisture contents and dry matter yield of elephant grass. Randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four treatments and four replications were used. Stem cuttings containing three active nodes were planted on 2m x 2m beds with cow dung, NPK fertilizer, grasscutter droppings and control plots (no fertilization applied) as the treatments. Growth parameters including height, stem girth, number of leaves, number of sprouts, leaf length and width were measured four weeks after planting and afterwards on weekly basis. The measurement lasted for eight (8) weeks. The plants were then harvested, oven-dried and crushed for proximate analysis in the laboratory. The results showed no significant difference among the treatments for mean crude protein, crude fat, ash, moisture content and dry matter yield. However, mean carbohydrates levels were significantly different among the treatments. Furthermore, NPK treatment showed significantly higher levels of carbohydrates as compared to the cow dung and grasscutter dropping treatments. There was significant difference (P < 0.05) in plant girth and leaf area index among the treatments. The results gave a maximum plant girth and leaf area index under NPK fertilizer. The results suggested that, cow dung, NPK fertilizer and grasscutter droppings could be used in elephant grass production. However, for maximum performance, it is recommended that NPK fertilizer should be used to give maximum nutritive returns. Livestock farmers are therefore encouraged to incorporate fertilizers in the cultivation of elephant grass to feed their stocks.