RESPONSE OF ALFALFA-BUFFEL GRASS MIXTURE TO FARMYARD MANURE AND SULFUR FERTILIZATION UNDER CALCAREOUS SOIL CONDITIONS

Abstract

Two field experiments were perfonned at Mariout Research Station of Desert Research Center during 1993 and I 994 growing seasons to study the effect of three cropping pattems i.e. alfalfa pure stand, buffel grass pure stand and alfalfa/buffel grass mixture, three organic manure rates viz., l0, 20 and 30 m3/fed., in addition to two rates of sulfur i.e. 0.4 and 0.8 ton/fed. on some growth characters, fresh and dry forage yields and chemical composition. The whole plots were hmvested to detennine total fresh forage yield and yield (ton/fed.) was calculated. Sample of200g for each plot were taken after every cut and separated into leaves and stems to detennine leaf/stem ratio and consequently leaves and stems 11•esh yield were calculated. The same samples were dried to calculated leaves, stems dry yield and total dry yield. Accumulated fresh and dry yield were detennined for each season. Also, nutritive value of both leaves and stems for each crop was detennined by chemical analysis procedures. The important results can be summarized as follows:

I. EFFECT OF CROPPING PATTERNS: I. Growth Pa.-ameters: I.I. Buffel grass: Growing buffel grass with alfalfa decreased plant height and leaf area of buffel !,Jfass comparing with sole crop planting and there was •no clear trend for leaf/stem ratio. This trend was true in the most cuts taken at both seasons.