Establishment of Sustainable Signal Grass Pasture by Amendment of Chromolaena odorata Biomass and Manure as Nutrient Organic Source: Effect on growth parameters, dry matter production and carrying capacity

Abstract

I" many tropical pastures invasive weed like Chromolaeno odorata becomes a serious species with no redeeming feature and causes poor and low calving rates of local cattle. Utilization of C. odorata biomass as organic nutrient source may be an alternative management to eliminate the distribution ofthe weed and improve pasture productivity. A field study in min; pastures waf conducted to recognise annual forage production (APP), carrying capacity. N-and P Uptake. and protein production ofSignal grass grown on soil amended wifh C. odorata biomass and flce.'i as organic nutrient source. Block Randomized Design consisting of: no treatment (blank control = Po); 7.2 kg plarl fJ[C. odorasa (PC); 21 kg plarl ofmal1tl.re (PF).-combination ofC, adorata (3_6 kg plor') and manure (10.5 kg plot-J) (PCF) and inorganic fertilizer (573.3 g urea plo(' and 217 g super phosphare plorl (positive contro!=PA). with 4 replications. Carrying capacity waf calculated according 10 simulation of accumulate grass production throughout the year. Dried herbage WQ.f use to determine forage production. N-and P uptake. Protein production was caicuioted from N concentration. 6.25 factor andforage production. The result... shewed that PC improved (p<O.OJ) AFP about 22."f% and 1 10% Q.f compared to PO and PF, respectively. PC and PF are able to substitute inorganic fertilizer about 60% and 50%. respectively in resulting similar APP as compared with those ofPA. PC and both PF and PCF increased (p<O.05) carrying capacity ofthepastureupto 1.7 and J.3 Animal Unit. respectively as compared with PO. PC. PF and PCF produced higher protein production (p<0.05) than PO. and substituted to inorganic fertilizer by 46%. 40% and 49%. respectively,