Evaluación de la Setaria sphacelata cv. splendida (Pasto miel) bajo deferentes niveles de fertilización con compost en el Centro de Investigación CIPCA de la amazonía ecuatoriana

Abstract

In the Postgraduate Amazonian Conservation Research Center (CIPCA), part of the Universidad Estatal Amazonica (UEA), Setaria sphacelata cv. splendida (broadleaf setaria) was tested under different levels of compost fertilization. 32 25 m2 plots were utilized, equaling a total of 800 m2. The methodology employed was a Randomized Complete Block design (RCB), in combinatorial arrangement, with 2 repetition for treatment, in which factor A was the compost levels (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5) Kg/m2 comparate a control treatment, and factor B was four different time periods (30, 45, 60 and 75 days). From the results obtained it was determined that for green forage production/ha, the highest value was 18.29 ton/green forage/ha using 0.5 Kg/m2 of compost, after this the quantity of green forage started to decrease; equally in terms of the time-period, the highest quantity of green forage was achieved at 75 days with 28.297 ton/green forage/ha at the time of cultivation. For Dry Matter, the highest quantity was achieved at 60 days, with the highest values at the levels of 0.0 and 1.0 Kg/m2 with 22.10 % and 22.20 % respectively. In regards to Crude Protein, the best treatment was 1.0 Kg/m2 at 30 days with 25.66 %. In terms of the agrobotanical parameters of height, basal coverage and aerial cover evaluated, there were no significant differences found between treatments, however numerically the highest values were achieved at 75 days. For green forage production per hectare, the highest value for compost levels was 18.29 ton/ha, using 0.5 Kg/m2 of compost, higher levels of compost resulted in a decrease in forage quantity. In regards to Dry Matter, the highest percentage for all treatments was obtained al 60 days. In order to improve levels of dry matter production and obtain high nutritive value at the same time, compost levels of 0.5 Kg/m2 are recommended with cultivation at 60 days, which in this research study obtained 4.53 ton/ha of dry matter and 15.18 % protein content