Varietal Performance of Napier Fodder (Pennisetum purpureum) Influenced by Nitrogen Fertilizer under Mango Based Agroforestry System
M. H. Rahman
Department of Agroforestry and Environment, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur- 5200, Bangladesh
M. M. Rahman *
Department of Agroforestry and Environment, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur- 5200, Bangladesh
M. S. Bari
Department of Agroforestry and Environment, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur- 5200, Bangladesh
M. R. Islam
Department of Agroforestry and Environment, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur- 5200, Bangladesh
M. A. Quraishy
Department of Agroforestry and Environment, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur- 5200, Bangladesh
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: To observe the varietal performance of Napier fodder influenced by nitrogen fertilizer application under mango tree based agroforestry system.
Study Design: The experiment was consisted of two factors RCBD with three replications.
Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was carried out at the Agroforestry and Environment Research Farm, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, Bangladesh during June 2014 to December 2014.
Methodology: Among the two factors, one factor like A was three Napier variety viz. V1= Bazra, V2= Arusha and V3= Hybrid; another factor B was three nitrogen fertilizer dozes viz. N1=150 kg/ha, N2= 100 kg/ha and N3= 50 kg/ha. So, there were nine treatment combinations; V1N 1 = Bazra + 150 kg/ ha, V1N2 = bazra + 100 kg/ha, V1N3= bazra + 50 kg/ha, V2N 1= Arusha + 150 kg/ha, V2N2 = Arusha + 100 kg/ha, V2N3= Arusha + 50 kg/ha, V3N1 = Hybrid + 150 kg/ha, V3N2 = Hybrid + 100 kg/ha and V3N3 = Hybrid + 50 kg/ha.
Results: The experimental results revealed that the growth, yield and yield contributing character of Napier were varied significantly due to varietal effect and different nitrogen doses and also for their interaction at different DAP and different harvesting time. The tallest plant of Napier grass (146.20 cm, 200.00 cm and 228.40 cm) was recorded from V1N3 (Bazra + 150 kg/ha N) treatment and the dwarf plant (113.20, 167.10 cm and 197.40 cm) was recorded from V3N1 (Hybrid + 50 kg/ha N) treatment at 30, 60 and 90 DAP, respectively. Similarly the highest yield (13.40, 14.14 and 14.15 ton/ha) was recorded from V1N3 (Bazra + 150 kg/ha N) treatment where as the lowest (5.20, 5.80 and 5.90 t/ha) was recorded from V3N1 (Hybrid + 50 kg/ha N) treatment at 1st, 2nd and 3rd harvest, respectively. Therefore, the suitability of Napier production with different doses of nitrogen fertilizer under mango based agroforestry system may be ranked as V1N1> V2N1> V3N1> V1N2> V2N2> V3N2> V1N3> V2N3> V3N3.
Conclusion: It may be decided that the cultivation of Bazra Napier variety with 150 kg urea under the floor of mango orchard provide higher yield of Napier fodder.
Keywords: Fodder, nitrogen, mango and agroforestry