Violet Osaruese IDEHEN

Effects of fertilizer rates on growth and yield of (Congo grass) Brachiaria ruzisiensis was studied during rainy season at the experimental field of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin. Treatments consisting of NPK 15:15:15 application rates of 0, 400, 500, 600, 700 and 800 kg/ha, replicated four times in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) were studied. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of different rates of NPK 15.15.15 fertilizer on the growth and yield of Bracharia ruziziensis. Proximate analysis were carried out before and after fertilizer application to determine the nutrient status of Bracharia ruziziensis. Results of the research revealed significant (p<0.05) difference on biomass and dry matter yields. The highest level of fertilizer application (800 kg/ha) rate was significantly better than all others. The study showed that fertilizer application increased the proximate composition and yield of Congo grass. This implies that if the grass is produced widely, feed will be enhanced greatly and farmers/herders conflict will be greatly reduced and this can resolve some of the problems of insecurity in Nigeria. Based on the findings of this research, it is recommended that Congo grass be given up ton800kg/ha NPK 15.15.15 fertilizer during the growing seasons