TITLE:
Direct and Residual Effects of Different Levels of Chicken Manure Fertilization on the Growth and Biomass Production of Brachiaria ruziziensis (Poaceae) at the Bolting in West Cameroon
AUTHORS:
Gilles Jiope Azangue, Fernand Tendonkeng, François Victor Nguetsop, David Fokom Wauffo, Etienne Tedonkeng Pamo
KEYWORDS:
Brachiaria ruziziensis, Chicken Manure, Height, Diameter, Biomass
JOURNAL NAME:
Agricultural Sciences,
Vol.10 No.8,
August
30,
2019
ABSTRACT: The direct and residual effects of different levels of chicken manure fertilization on the growth and biomass production of B. ruziziensis at the bolting were studied in West Cameroon. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different levels of chicken manure fertilization on the growth and biomass production of Brachiaria ruziziensis at the bolting. A factorial device comparing five doses of nitrogen into chicken manure (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 kg N/ha) on plot of 6 m2 (3 × 2 m) in four replicates, (i.e. a total of 20 experimental plots) was used. Chicken manure was spread one month after planting pieces of stump during the first year. In the second year, no fertilization was brought up. 40 plants were harvested by treatment for heights and diameters measurements. The evaluation of stems biomass, leaves and whole plants was done on each plot based on the level of fertilization. The results obtained showed that chicken manure fertilization had a positive effect on the growth and biomass production of the B. ruziziensis on the direct and residual effect of fertilization. Thus, the height, diameters and biomass of whole plants in the fertilized plots were significantly larger than in the control plots. The mineralization of the organic matter contained in the chicken manure with doses of 100 kg N/ha was done on the direct and residual effect in order to assure a maximal plant growth. The level of T4 fertilization (corresponding to the dose of 100 kg N/ha) gave the best results. Referring to the result obtained, the level of T4 fertilization corresponding to 100 kg N/ha would be suitable for an optimal B. ruziziensis growth in order to avoid providing the soil with mineral fertilizer.