An experiment was carried out in experimental plots of 300 m² in size to evaluate the effects of doses of NK fertilization and irrigation on forage mass yield and quality of elephantgras cv Napier during the dry season. The experimental design was completely randomized with three treatment replications. The experimental treatments were arranged in a 4 x 2 factorial combination of four N-K2O doses with and without irrigation, in the dry season. N-K2O doses were: 100-80; 200-160; 300-240 and 400-320 kg.ha-1, respectively. Figures for total dry forage mass (TDFM), and dry green leaf mass (DGLM) increased in proportion to N-K2O dose from May to September 2001, the dry season period. Irrigation had a marked significant effect on DGLM yield. Leaf samples from irrigated plots had higher contents of neutral and acid detergent fiber as compared to leaf samples from the control plots. Concentrations of crude protein, potash, phosphorus, calcium and magnesium did not respond either to N-K2O doses or to irrigation.
chemical composition; fertilization; Pennisetum purpureum; tropicalgrass
