FORAGE YIELD AND NUTRITIVE VALUE OF Pennisetum pedicellatum AS INFLUENCED BY NPK (20:10:10) FERTILIZER RATES

The study was conducted during the 2024 rainy season to evaluate forage yield and chemical composition of Pennisetum pedicellatum as influenced by NPK (20:10:10) fertilizer rates at different ages. The experiment was laid out in 4 x 3 factorial arrangements in split-plot and replicated three (3) times. The 2 factors were fertilizer levels (0, 50, 100 and 150 Kg/ha NPK 20:10:10) as main plot and harvest time (8, 12 and 16 WAS) as sub-plot. Data generated were analyzed using the SAS and significant means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test. There was significant (P<0.05) effect of NPK rates on PH, NL, LL, TN, fresh and dry forage yields while there was no-significant (P>0.05) effect of NPK rates on LW. Higher (P<0.05) PH (85.63cm), NL (46.59), LL (41.26cm), TN (10.42), fresh (8.17 t/ha) and dry (3.99 t/ha) forage yields were obtained at 150 kg/ha NPK. Leaf width ranged from 1.67 – 2.06 cm. Non-significant (P>0.05) age of harvest effect was observed on all PH, NL, LL, LW and TN which ranged from 51.96 – 62.73 cm, 29.45 – 31.70, 32.43 – 36.10 cm, 1.60 – 2.14 cm and 8.60 – 9.80, respectively. There was significant (P<0.05) effect of age of harvest on fresh and dry forage yields in which higher (P<0.05) fresh (10.18 t/ha) and dry (3.10 t/ha) forage yields were obtained at 16WAS for P. pedicellatum. There was significant (P<0.05) effect of age of harvest on chemical composition of P. pedicellatum. Higher (P<0.05) DM (90.36%), CF (16.98%), ash (8.20%), NFE (47.92%), NDF (27.21%) and ADF (16.50%) were recorded at 16WAS while CP (23.18%) was higher (P<0.05) at 8WAS. Ether extract (2.18%) was higher (P<0.05) at 12WAS. In conclusion, the growth, forage yields and chemical composition of P. pedicellatum forage were improved when NPK was applied at 150 kg/ha while P. pedicellatum forage harvested at 16WAS gave higher growth and better forage yield. Crude protein content of P. pedicellatum forage fertilized with NPK fertilizer across all ages was good enough to meet the protein requirement of ruminant animals. It can be recommended that for better growth, yield and quality of P. pedicellatum forage, 150 kg/ha NPK (20:10:10) should be applied and harvested at 16WAS.