Effects of Different Levels of Fertilization with Hen Droppings on the Production and Chemical Composition of <i>Pennisetum clandestinum</i>(Poaceae)

The use of organic manures, constitute an alternative to that of polluting artificial fertilizers. In this study, the effect of various levels of hen droppings fertilization on the production of biomass, chemical composition and carrying capacity of P. clandestinum were evaluated at the Research and Experimental Farm (REF) and at the Animal Nutrition and Feeding Laboratory of the University of Dschang, between April and September 2016. A completely randomized block design comparing three nitrogen level of fertilization in hen droppings form (0;100 and 200 kg N/ha) on 4 m2 plot of P. clandestinum were used. Each treatment was carried out in four replications for a total of 12 experimental plots. Then a sample of 500 g of forage has been collected in the center of each plot, then dried and used for the evaluation of the biomass and the chemical composition of P. clandestinum, according to the level of fertilization and the cutting frequency. The results showed that the fertilization with the hen droppings positively influenced (p < 0.05) regeneration at the first cutting frequency and the highest value (47.12 cm) was obtained with of 200 kg N/ha rate of fertilization. The biomass of this fodder increased significantly (p < 0.05) with the level of fertilization with hen droppings. Besides, it decreases with the increasing cutting of frequency whatever the level of fertilization. Independently of the fertilization and the cutting frequency, the maximum biomass (6.22 t DM/ha) was obtained with the first cutting at the 200 kg N/ha of hen droppings fertilization. The fertilization influenced in variable way the chemical composition of P. clandestinum. The dry matter and organic matter content decrease with the level of fertilization and the highest values (83.79% and 89.39% respectively for the DM and OM) were obtained on the control plot at the third and the first cutting. Moreover, the ash and crude protein contents increased significantly (p < 0.05) with the cutting frequency of cutting and the level of fertilization applied. The highest ash (19.34% DM) and CP (20.04% DM) contents were obtained with of 200 kg N/ha of hen droppings at the second cutting frequency.