Productivity of three Benggala grass cultivars (Panicum maximum sp.) Which is cultivated as an intercropping in 15 years old palm oil plantations
Iwan Herdiawan1, Ahmad Fanindi1, Sajimin1, and Endang Sutedi1

1 Research Center for Animal Husbandry, National Reseacrh Center and Innovation Agency

Email : herdiawanmaliq[at]gmail.com

Abstract

The study was conducted in Babulu District, North Penajam Paser Regency, East Kalimantan, on acid soil (pH = 3.77), with dusty sandy soil texture. The land was not cultivated but only cleared and experimental plots were made, with a dose of 10 tons/ha of manure and 4 tons/ha of limestone. Three cultivars of Bengal grass, namely Panicum maximum cv Riversdale, Panicum maximum cv Hammil, and Panicum maximum cv Purpleguinea, were planted as intercrops between 15 year old palm trees with light intensity of 255.79 mol/m2/sec equivalent to 75% shade intensity, each plot. measuring 6x15 m2, and a spacing of 1x1 m2. The research design used a Randomized Block Design (RAK), and each treatment received 10 replicate plots. The observed variables were biomass production, leaf, stem, leaf/stem ratio, and forage quality (CP, CF, energy, Ca, and P). The results showed that fresh biomass production, leaf production, and leaf/stem ratio of Panicum maximum cv Hammil significantly (P<0.05) were the highest compared to Panicum maximum cv Riversdale, and Panicum maximum cv Purpleguinea. However, the production of fresh stems of Panicum maximum cv Hammil was not significantly different from that of P. maximum cv Purpleguinea. Crude protein content, energy, crude fiber, Ca and P Panicum maximum cv Riversdale and Panicum maximum cv Hammil were not significantly different, while with Panicum maximum cv Purpleguinea were significantly different.

Keywords: productivity, Benggala grass, shade, palm oil

Topic: Grassland Science