EVALUATION OF SPACING AND CUTTING AGE ON GROWTH COMPONENTS OF Brachiaria brizanth

Abstract

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of spacing on the forage yield and quality of Brachiaria briznatha. The treatment was laid down in a Completely Randomize Block Design with spacing (50 x 50, 60 x 60, 70 x 70 and 80 x 80 cm) as the main factor and cutting age (4, 8 and 12 weeks after transplanting (WAT)) as the sub factor which was replicated three times. The growth components showed that plant height (74.9 cm) and leaf length (33.3 cm) were significantly (P<0.05) higher at 80 x 80cm and 70 x 70cm, respectively. Number of tillers (23) was (P<0.05) at 8 weeks after transplanting (WAT). Varying spacing significantly (P<0.05) affected fresh forage yield with the highest value (15.8t/ha) recorded at 80 x 80cm. Age of cutting was significantly (P<0.05) effected on both fresh forage and dry herbage yields. The highest fresh weight yield (16.3t/ha) was recorded at 8 weeks after transplanting (WAT). Whereas, higher dry weight (4.3t/ha) was recorded at 12 weeks after transplanting (WAT).