Evaluation of productivity of Chloris Gayana under soils of varying composition in South Western Uganda.
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Date
2019
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Journal of Agriculture, Environment and Bioresearch
Abstract
This study therefore evaluated the productivity of Chloris gayana under varying soils in South Western Uganda. The productivity of Chloris gayana in selected districts in South Western Uganda (Kiruhura, Ibanda, Mbarara, Isingiro, Sheema) was already established by Lagu et al (2017). The present study profiled the soils in the above districts where the Chloris gayana was grown for total organic matter, available phosphorus, extractable bases (potassium, sodium, magnesium and calcium), total nitrogen and textural classes (sand, clay, silt) following standard procedures described by Okalebo et al (2002). The results showed that the highest quantity of seeds and biomass per acre of Chloris gayana grass is attained if only all the essential primary soil nutrients (N, P, K) are above the critical levels. Hence, Kiruhura district having soils with the highest levels of essential soil nutrients, N (4.00±0.77%), P (33.73±12.98ppm) above the critical levels (N, 2%; P, 15ppm) recorded the highest quantity of Chloris gayana seeds harvested per acre (18.03±3.03 kg per acre) and hay bales per acre (311.11 kg/acre) compared to the other districts. Hence, efforts towards soil testing and soil amendments with essential nutrients (NPK) need to be intensified for increased productivity of Chloris gayana in South Western Uganda.
Description
Keywords
Hay bales, Nutrients, Rhodes grass, Seeds, Uganda
Citation
Andama, M., Lagu, C., Muzira, R., Animal, N., & Resources, G. (2019). Evaluation of Productivity of Chloris Gayana under soils of varying composition in South Western Uganda. International Journal of Agriculture, Environment and Bioresearch, 4(05), 241–253. https://doi.org/http://doi.org/10.35410/IJAEB.2019.4443