Dry matter yields and quality of forages derived from grass species and organic production methods (Year lll)

Abstract

This third year work was carried on at Khon Kaen University during the 2008-2009 to investigate dry matter yields of grass, grass plus legumes, grown on Korat soil series (Oxic Paleustults). The experiment consisted of twelve-treatment combinations of a 3×4 factorial arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. The results showed that Dry Matter Yields (DMY) of Ruzi and Guinea grass were similar with mean values of 6,585 and 6,130 kg ha-1 whilst Napier gave the lowest (884 kg ha-1). With grass plus legume, grass species and production methods gave highly significant dry matter yields where Guinea and Ruzi gave dry matter yields of 7,165 and 7,181 kg ha-1, respectively and Napier was the least (2,790 kg ha-1). The production methods with the use of cattle manure gave the highest DMY (grass alone) of 10,267 kg ha-1 followed by Wynn and Verano with values of 6,064 and 3,623 kg ha-1, respectively. Guinea plus cattle manure gave the highest DMY of 14,599 kg ha-1 whilst Ruzi gave 12,977 kg ha-1. Guinea plus Wynn gave DMY of 7,082 kg ha-1. Ruzi plus Verano gave DMY of 6,501 kg ha-1. Forage qualities of crude protein were highest with those grown with grass plus legumes. Some prospects in improving production were discussed.