Effect of Split Application of Nitrogen on Yield and Quality of Perennial Grasses

Three perennial grass species viz. golden timothy (Setaria sphacelata) cv. Nandi, guinea grass (Pancum maximum Jacq.) cv. Gutton and hybrid napier (Pennisetum purpureum x P. typhoides) Cv. IGFRI No.6; were grown under recommended dose of nitrogen fertilizer application with a schedule i.e., full dose of nutrient just after cut (T₁), 75% just after cut + 25% 20 days before next cut (T₂) and 50% just after cut and 50% 20 days before next cut (T₃). Split application of nitrogen had no effect on chemical composition, whereas it significantly increased the forage yield being highest in T2 as compared to T1 and T3. The highest nutrients yield was observed in hybrid napier than in other grasses. It is concluded that the application of 75% N just after cut and remaining 25% 20 days before next cut was better for achieving higher nutrients yield and hybrid napier was found better than other grasses.