Forage yield of African star grass (Cynodon nlemfuensis Vanderyst) at different cut heights

Resumen

Objective: To determine the effect of cutting height, season, and year on the forage yield of African Star grass (Cynodon nlemfuensis Vanderyst) in Loma Bonita, Oaxaca, México.

Design/Methodology/Approach: A randomized block design was used in plots divided using a factorial arrangement and three replications. The treatments consisted of the combination of cutting heights, seasons, and years of evaluation with four repetitions. The following variables were taken into consideration: fresh and dry forage yield (kg ha^-1), leaf weight (kg FM ha^-1), stem weight (kg FM ha^-1), dead material (kg ha^-1), leaf-steam ratio, and total yield per hectare (kg ha^-1). An analysis of variance was carried out and the means were compared using Tukey's test.

Results: The cutting heights did not have an effect on the DM yield. The uniformity cut can be made between 7 and 10 cm. DM performance for the 6 characters evaluated was better in 2018 than in 2016.

Study limitations/Implications: Applying dolomite calcium to increase soil pH, N, P, and K levels under irrigated conditions could improve growth rates and DM production.

Findings/Conclusions: Cutting heights did not have an impact on forage yield. The uniformity cut could be made at a 7-10 cm height. The rainy season had a higher dry matter yield (3,310 kg ha^-1) than the dry season (1,902 kg DM ha^-1) and the cold front season (1,914 kg DM ha^-1).