The experiment was conducted in the 2018 cropping season with the objective of evaluating the effects of harvesting stage and seed rate on agronomic performance and quality traits of Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana K.) grown in northwestern Ethiopia under rain-fed conditions. A factorial experiment was conducted using two factors of main factor harvesting stages in three levels (60, 90, and 120 days) and the sub-factor of seed rate in three levels (5, 10, and 15 Kg/h) using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Data were collected for morphological traits such as plant height, tillers number, leaf length, leaf number per plant, and quality traits such as crude protein (CP%), total ash, acid detergent fiber (ADF%), neutral detergent fiber (NDF%) and acid detergent lignin (ADL%). The data were subjected to ANOVA using SAS software. Results showed significant effects of seed rate by harvesting stage interaction on all plant morphological traits, DM yield, and quality traits (P<0.05). As the seed rate and harvesting stage increased, there was an increase in tiller number, leaf length, plant height, NDF, and ADL and ADF%. There were significant (P<0.05) increments in DM yield as the result of descending seed rate and advanced maturity. Also, CP and total Ash were markedly decreased as the harvesting stages were increased. It could be concluded that both seed rate and harvesting stage are important agronomic practices in Rhodes grass production; hence, 90 days harvesting stage and lower level of seed rate (5 kg/ha) are recommended for better yield and quality traits of Rhodes grass. پرونده مقاله

The experiment was conducted to assess the effects of fertilizer types, and harvesting date on plant growth characteristics, dry matter (DM) yield and nutritional qualities of Mulato II grass. Data on plant growth characteristics, DM yield, and nutritional qualities of the grass were measured. The findings elucidated that fertilizer had a significant effect on the plant growth characteristics and DM yield but not on nutritional quality, except for crude protein (CP) content. All morphological characteristics except leaf to stem ratio (LSR) have shown better performance with the application of manure than other fertilizer types in the current study. Regarding the harvesting date, the highest morphological performance of all parameters except leaf length was recorded at 105 days. The interaction effect of two factors only significantly affects PH, LSR and root number. For the nutritive value parameters CP, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) were better at manure than chemical fertilizer and control. The CP, LSR, and ash content were markedly decreased (P <0.05) as the harvesting age was increased, and manure application. Hybrid Mulato II grass at about 105 days at manure fertilizer application would help to achieve greater DM yield using irrigation and rainfall production systems. پرونده مقاله