Evaluation of the Morphological Characteristics and Phytochemical Contents of Elephant Grass (Pennisetum purpureum) with Varying Rates of Poultry Manure | Chapter 7 | Agricultural Sciences: Techniques and Innovations Vol. 6

 

In many tropical and sub-tropical countries, Elephant Grass is a very popular forage, and in West Africa, it serves an important nutritional role in various meals. Poultry manure is an eco-friendly, valuable source of organic matter and nutrients that improve soil fertility and promote the development and growth of crops. Despite the availability of poultry manure and its numerous benefits, there’s limited knowledge on the most suitable application rates of this manure to elephant grass. This study, conducted at the Department of Crop Science, University of Nigeria, teaching and research farm, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, investigated the effect of varying rates of poultry manure on the morphological characteristics of Elephant Grass (Pennisetum purpureum) and its phytochemical constituents. Elephant grass shoots were sourced from a local farmers. The experiment employed a Completely Randomised Design (CRD) with five treatments: 0 (control), 5, 10, 15, and 20 tons of poultry manure per hectare, replicated five times. Morphological parameters, including stem height, stem girth, leaf length, and number of shoots, were measured weekly for eight weeks after planting. Phytochemicals analysis was performed on a BUCK M910 Gas chromatography equipped with a flame ionisation detector. The data obtained were analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results demonstrated that poultry manure significantly (P<0.05) influenced elephant grass growth from weeks 2 to 8, while only stem height was significant in week 1. Although the application rates of 10 and 15 t/ha did not differ significantly (P>0.05), the 15 tons/ha application rate consistently produced the highest mean values across all morphological parameters, closely followed by the 10 tons/ha rate. Notably, the control treatment (0 tons/ha) exhibited the lowest growth responses, highlighting the critical role of organic amendments in soil fertility and plant development. The 20 tons/ha rate surprisingly underperformed compared to moderate rates, suggesting potential nutrient toxicity or soil structure complications at higher application levels. The study concluded that moderate poultry manure application rates (10-15 tons/ha) optimise elephant grass establishment by providing an ideal balance of nutrients, improving soil moisture retention, and enhancing microbial activity. Ultimately, the research recommends a 10 tons/ha application rate for farmers, balancing cost-effectiveness, environmental considerations, and forage production efficiency. Further research is required to evaluate the long-term impacts of poultry manure application on soil health and its effects on other forage species to improve manure application recommendations.

 

 

Author(s) Details

Onwubiko, G. N.
Department of Crop Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.

 

Okwor, A. P.
Department of Crop Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.

 

Please see the link:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/asti/v6/6706

 

Organic Matter Intake of Three Different Diets Fed to Deer (Axix axis) | Chapter 5 | Research Aspects in Biological Science Vol. 3

A successful spotted deer breeding facility may be established by giving high-quality feed and sufficient nutrients such as organic matter in the diet. The major goal of this study was to look at the feed organic matter consumption of a group of 21 deer and 9 deer fed three different diets (carrot, feed concentrate, and elephant grass). The three diets were fed for three weeks, with a different diet being fed each week. During the first week of the trial, a group of 21 deer were fed carrot (Diet-1), feed concentrate (Diet-2) during the second week, and elephant grass during the third week (Diet-3). The deer had unrestricted access to water every day. The deer were given a two-day adaptation period for new feed, and the intake of organic matter in feed and the palatability of feed were measured five times each week. The data on feed organic matter consumption was analysed using a one-way analysis of variance (Anova). There was a significant difference in organic matter consumption (p0.05) across the three different diets. Those 21 deer ate 12kg of carrot organic matter per day, 13kg of feed concentrate per day, and 4kg of elephant grass per day, respectively. Elephant grass takes a longer time for deer to consume than carrots or concentrates. The variation in organic matter consumption between the three diets investigated was inferred to be related to differences in nutritional content and palatability of the feedstuffs.

Author(s) Details:

. Ismartoyo,
Faculty of Animal Science, Hasanuddin University Jl. Perintis Kemerdekaan Km.10 Tamalanrea, Makassar-90245, Indonesia.

Anie Asriany,
Faculty of Animal Science, Hasanuddin University Jl. Perintis Kemerdekaan Km.10
Tamalanrea, Makassar-90245, Indonesia.

. Syahriani,
Faculty of Animal Science, Hasanuddin University Jl. Perintis Kemerdekaan Km.10 Tamalanrea, Makassar-90245, Indonesia.

. Islamiyati,
Faculty of Animal Science, Hasanuddin University Jl. Perintis Kemerdekaan Km.10 Tamalanrea, Makassar-90245, Indonesia.

. Fitrawati,
Faculty of Animal Science, Hasanuddin University Jl. Perintis Kemerdekaan Km.10 Tamalanrea, Makassar-90245, Indonesia.

Please see the link here: https://stm.bookpi.org/RABS-V3/article/view/7047