Year: 2017 | Month: December | Volume 10 | Issue 6
Effect of Agro-ecology on Nutrient Content, Yield and Digestibility of Forage oat (Avena sativa L.) Varieties
Abstract:
Effect of agro-ecologyon nutrient content, yield and digestibility of three oat varieties (Lamptone, CI8235 and CI8237) were evaluated. Two agro ecologies, which varied in altitude, were selected for the experiment. Gummer site was 2925 masl while Albazer was 2400masl. Representative soil samples at the depth of 20cm were collected from randomly selected spots (20 cm depth) of both the sites. The samples were then sent to the laboratory. Plots were prepared and assigned for each of the each variety randomly using RCBD design. Seeds were sown at 100 kg/ha rate on 7, July, 2015 with replication. Di-ammonium phosphate and urea were applied in the similar rate. From the two fertilizers, urea was applied in two levels. Plots were regularly weeded and supervised for the disease. At maturity, the whole plant from each plot was cut 2cm above the ground. Seed with its husk (SH) and straw were separated. Values were extrapolated to hectare. Similar to the soil sample, forge representative samples were sent to the laboratory. Soil type at Gummer was silt, acidic, with lower cation exchange capacity (CEC) and higher exchangeable acidity (EA) whereas at Albazer it was clay, alkaline with higher CEC and lower EA. Soil organic carbon (OC), dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), total nitrogen (TN) and available phosphorus (AP) were more at Gummer than Albazer. Crop maturation period was varying between the two agro ecologies. At Gummer, maturation was 161days on average but at Albazer it was141 days in average. Straw had similar DM but more OM at Gummer than Albazer. The lowest DM and OM content SH was from Lamptone but highest from CI8235 and CI8237 at Albazer. Crude protein (CP) content of oats was more at Albazer than Gummer. Highest straw CP was obtained from Lamptone at Albazer than Gummer. CI8237 at Albazer had highest EE but Lamptone at Gummer had the lowest. SH at Gummer had higher EE than at Albazer. Lamptone’s SH was lowest in NDF at Albazer but highest at Gummer. Higher DM, OM and CP yields were from Gummer than Albazer. Interaction was observed between agro-ecology and the varieties for nutrient content and yield. Albazer had better CP content whereas Gummer was efficient in yield. CI8235 at Albazer hadlowest IVDMD while CI8237 at both sites had the highest. Thus, before introducing oats to a new area, determining soil physiochemical characteristics for suitability is recommended.
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