Evaluation of Fodder Yield, Chemical Composition and Feeding Value of Urochloa Mutica (DZF-483) Subjected to Different Fertilizer Regimes, Plant Spacing and Harvesting Age
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Date
2026
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Addis Abeba University
Abstract
With significant biomass yields and nutritional value, Urochloa mutica showed promise in addressing the current feed scarcity and livestock productivity. however, while using Urochloa for the best feeding results, it is crucial to take into account the significant agronomic aspects, particularly the type of fertilizer with the optimum rate, the stage of maturity, and the spacing between plants. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of fertilizer type, plant spacing, and harvesting age on Urochloa mutica growth, yield, and nutritional composition, specifically with regard to dairy cow feed. It contained three experiments: the first examined different fertilizer treatments (sole vermicompost, sole NPS, combined vermicompost and NPS, and no fertilizer), while the second explored various intra-row plant spacings (20 cm, 35 cm, and 50 cm) and harvesting ages or clearing date (60, 90, and 120 days). Both experiments were arranged as randomized complete block designs with three replications on a plot size of 12 m². Key information collected were plot cover, plant height, number of tillers and leaves, root characteristics, leaf-to-stem ratio, dry matter yield, and forage chemical composition. The third experiment focused on the effects of Urochloa mutica hay supplemented with varying levels of concentrate on feed intake, milk yield, and composition of high-grade dairy cows, employed a crossover design with four treatment groups. Results indicated that the blended NPS and varying combinations of vermicompost and NPS fertilizers did not prominently differ in terms of agronomic and nutritional parameters, with the best runner-up treatment a mixture of 75% NPS and 25% vermicompost. Morphologically, late maturity plants displayed superior growth, while wider plant spacings were beneficial, except for root numbers, and the dry matter yield (DMY) improved with narrower spacing and later harvests. In the animal feeding experiment, higher dry matter (12.8 kg/day) and crude protein (1.85) intakes observed in cows on treatments T1 (Urochloa mutica + 0.5 kg concentrate per 1 kg milk yield. In treatment T2 relatively better dry matter (12.7 kg per day) and crude protein (1.67) intake and, optimal milk production (10.9L) with significant protein content (4.5%) were observed, while economically, it provided the highest net benefit. Thus, the study concludes that, T4 (75% NPS + 25% vermicompost) fertilizer can substitute NPS fertilizer with better yield and quality. Besides narrow plant spacing (20 cm), and a later harvesting age for better yield are recommended. Additionally, to maximize milk output, a diet of Urochloa mutica supplemented with 0.4 kg of concentrate per 1 kg of milk yield for better return with high MRR is advocated for lactating high grade dairy cows in the study area and similar agroecological zones.
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Cross-bred dairy cows, fertilizer, harvesting age, plant spacing and Urochloa mutica.