Productivity response of signal grass (Brachiaria decumbens) to N fertilization

A. Aminah, W. M. Wan Othman and Z. Shamsuddin

Abstract

The effects of various rates of nitrogen (N) fertilizer on dry matter production, N utilization efficiency, forage quality of signal grass (Brachiaria decumbens) and soil fertility starus were studied. Five rates of N fertilizer namely 0, 200, 400, 600 dan 800 kg N/ha per year were used. Randomised complete block design with five replications was used. Signal grass responded markedly to N fertilizer application, with the highest yield of 17 570 kg/ha dry matter per year at 800 kg N/ha per year. The N utilization efficiency achieved maximum level at a fertilizer application of 400 kg N/ha per year and it decreased thereafter with the increase in N application. The N concentration of signal grass increased with increasing rates of N fertilizer application. On the other hand, K concentration decreased while P, Ca and Mg were not much affected by N fertilization. The soil pH and the total N, P, K, Ca and Mg content in the soil were notaffected bv the treatment levels.

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