Effect of Organic Manure on Production Performance and Nutritional Composition of Maize (Zea mays) Fodder in Coastal Soil

Abstract: Maximizing Maize fodder production economically using cow dung and buffalo manure is important instead of using manure as rural fuel in coastal areas of Bangladesh. Optimization of cow dung and buffalo manure Nitrogen with fertilizer for the production of Maize fodder and dissemination of knowledge to the farmers should consider judiciously. The study was conducted to determine the effect of organic manure on production performance and nutritional composition of maize (Zea mays) fodder in coastal soil. The experiment was conducted with five treatments e.g. T₀ = Control (no fertilizer and manure); T₁= application of cow dung 100%(7.142 kg cow dung ) ; T₂ = Application buffalo manure100%(10.714 buffalo manure); T₃ =  Recommended NPK (Urea : 65.217 g, TSP: 17.78g, MOP : 32.27g); T₄ =50% NPK + 50 % Cow dung (Cow dung : 3.571 kg, Urea : 32.60g, TSP:8.89g, MOP :16.135g); T₅ = 50% NPK + 50 % buffalo manure (buffalo manure : 5.357 kg, Urea : 32.60g, TSP:8.89g, MOP :16.135g); having 3 replication for each treatment. The effects of NPK, cow dung and buffalo manure were significant (p<0.05) for plant height. The forage was harvested at 2 cutting periods (60 and 90 days) highly significant varied plant height and leaf width (p<0.05) were found at the second cutting period, they were not significant influenced at the first cutting plant height and leaf width (p<0.05) were found at the second cutting period, highest biomass was found 101.66 tha^-1 of 100% cow dung at the second cutting period. The application of manures and fertilizer and cutting intervals had a significant effect (p<0.02) on biomass of maize forage cultivar. The treatment had no significant (p>0.05) effect on the percent of DM, fat, and CP, ash, moisture and CF.  Highest DM% was found 15.62% (90DAP) Highest CP% was found 6.53% of cow dung 100% for 60 DAP. Highest CF% was found in the 10.70% and which was significantly (p<0.05) differed in Maize’s stems. It may be concluded that highest biomass was found in the interaction effect of 100% cow dung at 90 days after planting while highest CP content was found in the interaction of 100% cow dung at 60 days after planting since CP content of forage was reduced with the advancing of age. Keywords: Maize, cow dung, buffalo manure, NPK

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