Baldomero González

Effect of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers on some components of nutritive value of dwarf elephantgrass

Abstract Crude protein (CP), calcium (Ca), and phosphorus (P) concentrations and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) of leaves, stems, and whole plants of sprinkler‐irrigated dwarf elephantgrass (Pennisetum purpureum) cv. Mott as affected by the factorial combinations of nitrogen (N) (0, 150, 300, and 450 kg N ha‐1 year‐1) and P (0, 50, and 100 kg P2O5 ha‐1 year‐1) fertilization rates were evaluated in a tropical dry forest in the State of Zulia, western region of Venezuela. A randomized complete block design with three replications was used. Soil was a low‐fertility sandy‐loam Alfisol (Udic Paleustalf) with pH of 6.1. Data from eight cuttings carried out at 45‐day intervals were used. Only Ca and P concentrations in stems were affected by N fertilization. Phosphorus fertilization influenced (P>0.05) PC and P contents in leaves, IVDMD in stems, and Ca and P concentrations in both stems and whole plants. Overall mean IVDMD and CP, Ca, and P contents were: leaves, 62.9, 8.75, 0.39, and 0.30%; stems, 6...