Effects of Plant Spacing and Fertilizer Level on Chemical Composition of Hybrid Brachiaria CV. Mulato II Grass during the First 150 Days of Growth Under Irrigation Supplementation, in Chagni Ranch, Awi Zone, Ethiopia

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of plant spacing and N fertilizer application on chemical composition of Brachiaria hybrid cv. Mulato II grass for the first 150 days after planting. A factorial experiment with 3 urea fertilizer levels (0, 50 and 100 kg/ha) and 4 spacings between plants and rows (20 x 20, 30 x 40, 40 x 60 and 50 x 80 cm) with 3 replications was used. Chemical analyses were conducted for crude protein (CP), ash, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL). Results indicated that DMY, CP%, CPY, NDF% and ADF% were significantly (P<0.05) affected by plant spacing and fertilizer levels interactions. However, ash and ADL were significant (P<0.05) affected by only main effects. The highest CP% was recorded for wider plant spacing (50 x 80 cm) with higher urea fertilizer level (100 kg/ha) (S4F3) Similar studies need to be conducted over much longer periods to determine to what extent these findings relate to performance over the life of a permanent pasture.