Productivity and Quality of CP- Pangola (Digitaria decumbens cv. CP-1) under Different Managements II. Effects of nitrogen application and cutting frequency

Abstract

A field experiment was established to determine the effects of nitrogen applications and cutting intervals on the dry matter yields and chemical compositions of CP-pangola. The experiment was conducted at the private company farm, Kamphaeng Phet. The experimental design was a split plot with three replications. The main plot consisted of five different nitrogen rates (0, 25, 50, 75 and 150 kg N/rai). The sub-plot consisted of three different cutting intervals (30, 45 and 60 days). Total dry matter yield, all yield components and crude protein content increased with increasing levels of nitrogen application. Phosphorus contents in all plant parts decreased with increasing level of nitrogen application. There was little effect of nitrogen application on the potassium and calcium contents of all plant components, except the stem fractions which declined with increasing nitrogen levels. In terms of the response to various cutting frequencies, the results showed that total dry matter yield and all yield components except the leaf fractions increased with increasing cutting frequencies. The crude protein concentration in all plant components reduced with less frequent cutting while calcium (except the stem fractions), ADF and NDF increased.