Proceedings of the 3rd Scientific Conference of Rangeland Society of Tanzania (RST)

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Browsing Proceedings of the 3rd Scientific Conference of Rangeland Society of Tanzania (RST) by Subject "Placement depth"

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    Effect of placement depth of planting fertilizer on above and below ground growth characteristics of centrosema pubescens
    (Rangeland Society of Tanzania (RST), 2018) Joel, D. A.; Mtengeti E. J.
    Livestock production in Tanzania is limited by poor availability of high nutritional forage species from natural grazing land. The leguminous fodder seems to be the best options for livestock feeding due to their high nutritive values especially protein contents, but their productivity is limited by unpredictable rainfall and poor soil fertility particularly in semi-arid regions. Although application of phosphate fertilizers is recommended for increasing productivity of Centrosema pubescens, yet poor agronomic practices especially the optimal fertilizer placement depth constraints its growth performance during establishment. This study tested the influence of Diammonium phosphate (DAP) fertilizer placement depth on above and below ground growth characteristics of Centrosema pubescens during establishment at Magadu Dairy Farm located at Sokoine University of Agriculture. The five fertilizer placement depths i.e. 0 cm, 5 cm, 10 cm, 15 cm, and 20 cm, were compared in terms of growth characteristics of both roots and shoots as well as above ground biomass yield. It was found that the above ground biomass production, shoots growth and root growth characteristics increases with increasing levels of planting placement depth. The optimal depth recommended for maximum yield was at 15 cm. It was suggested that farmers should adhere to recommended fertilizer placement depth for good establishment of Centrosema pubescens.