HERBAGE YIELD OF KYASUWA GRASS (Pennisetum pedicellatum) AS AFFECTED BY POULTRY MANURE RATES IN SEMI-ARID AREA OF ALIERO, KEBBI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The effect of poultry manure rates on the establishment counts, fresh herbage and dry matter yield of kyasuwa grass (Pennisetum pedicelatum) was investigated during the 2021 dry season at the Orchard of Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero. Treatments consist of four varying poultry manure rates (0.00g/kg, 0.70g/kg, 1.40g/kg and 2.10g/kg) representing treatments 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively, which were applied on four blocks consisting of three plots per block and each plot measuring (3m x 2m). The plots were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). Seeds of kyasuwa grass were sown manually at the rate of 5.6kg/ha for all the treatments by drilling method at a spacing of 30 cm (intra and inter row) and 50cm apart at planting depth of 1cm was used and covered with soil. The experiment lasted for 12 weeks during which plant establishment counts was done at 4 weeks after sowing, fresh herbage and dry matter yield were determined after harvesting at the end of the period. The results indicated that all the parameters measured were significantly (p<0.05) affected by the poultry manure rates. The highest plant counts (66.25%), fresh herbage (18.70t/ha) and dry matter (7.55t/ha) was obtained in Treatment 4 while the least plant counts (50.60%), fresh herbage (11.00t/ha) and dry matter (2.75t/ha) yield were recorded for the control treatment. The results suggested that kyasuwa grass responds positively to poultry manure application rates in the semi-arid zone of Kebbi State