Abstract:
The study was carried out in Jimma University College of Agriculture and Veterinary
Medicine, at Eladale research site with the objectives of evaluating different rates of
vermicomposts and inorganic fertilizer application on agronomic performance, biomass
yield, and chemical composition of Panicum coloratum grass. The experiment was planned in
a randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatments were T1= sole
application of inorganic fertilizer (100 kg/ha), T2 = 25% vermicompost (VC) and 75% NPSB
(nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur and boron), T3 = 50% VC and 50% NPSB, T4 = 75% VC with
25% NPSB, T5 = 100% (5 ton/ha) VC with 100% (100 kg/ha) NPSB and T6 = 100% VC&
0% NSPB. The data on 50% flowering, agronomic performance, biomass yield and chemical
composition were collected. The agronomic performance, biomass yield, and laboratory
analytical data were subjected to one-way ANOVA and correlation analysis of SAS software
9.3 versions. Tukey’s Honest Significant Test was used to separate means that showed
significant difference. The result revealed that combined application of vermicompost and
inorganic fertilizer significantly (P<0.05) affected phonological variables, agronomical
performance, biomass yield and chemical composition of Panicum coloratum. Early full
germination date was 10.33±0.67, early days to initial flowering was 50.33±0.88 and 50%
flowering days was 68.78±0.29obtained due to the application of 100% each of VC and
inorganic fertilizer. The highest plant height, leave length, number of tiller per plant and
number of leaves per plant for Panicum coloratum grass at 1, 2 and 2.5 months were
recorded for T5 followed by T3 while the lowest was from sole inorganic fertilizer. The
overall mean fresh biomass yields were 1421.07, 146.41 and 154.80 ton/ha while the dry
matter yields were 8.72, 9.42 and 9.94 ton/ha at 1st, 2ndand 3rd stages of cutting,
respectively. Application of vermicompost and inorganic fertilizer increased CP and OM
content, but NDF, ADF and ADL contents decreased at balanced rate of both fertilizers. The
study results showed that combined application of vermicompost and inorganic fertilizer was
economically feasible at 50% each sources (T3). Besides, with 100 ETB cost, a 301 ETB extra
income was attained from T3 when compared with sole application of inorganic fertilizers. In
summary, application of 50%each source (T3) improved agronomic performance, biomass
yield, and nutritional quality as well as economic benefit in production of Panicum coloratum
grass. In future, application of vermicompost with inorganic fertilizer should be verified at on
farm conditions, at different season and agro-ecology conditions.
