Publication Date
1993
Description
Bana, a South African hybrid between Pennisetum purpureum and Penmisetumn glantcum, was evaluated in a fertiliser trial at the University of Pretoria. The initial pH(H20) of the soil was 4.2, the P status 12 my/ kg and the K status 50 mg/kg, A third of the.plots were treated with Ca(OH)2, to raise the pH(H20) to 5.6, while on another third, the pH was raised to 6.5. There were 4 nitrogen treatments, 0, 100, 200 and 400 kg N/ha/year, Production and quality was measured during 3 consecutive seasons, after the season of establishment. The treatment which received no N produced 14.5 t OM/ha/year compared with 17.6, 16.2 and 19.8 t OM/ha/year on those which received 100, 200 and 400 kg/ha/year. At 6.5, Bana produced 18.2 I OM/ha/year compared with 16,2 and 16.8 t OM/ha/year, at pH 4.2 and 5,6. It can be concluded that with a summer rainfall of 650 mm, Bana can, with low fertiliser inputs, produce large quantities of good quality material.
Citation
Pieterse, P A.; Bosch, J Van; and Rethman, N F.G, "Dana- A Low Input grass, for Sustainable Production in the Summer Rainfall areas of South Africa" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 3.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1993/session10/3
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Dana- A Low Input grass, for Sustainable Production in the Summer Rainfall areas of South Africa
Bana, a South African hybrid between Pennisetum purpureum and Penmisetumn glantcum, was evaluated in a fertiliser trial at the University of Pretoria. The initial pH(H20) of the soil was 4.2, the P status 12 my/ kg and the K status 50 mg/kg, A third of the.plots were treated with Ca(OH)2, to raise the pH(H20) to 5.6, while on another third, the pH was raised to 6.5. There were 4 nitrogen treatments, 0, 100, 200 and 400 kg N/ha/year, Production and quality was measured during 3 consecutive seasons, after the season of establishment. The treatment which received no N produced 14.5 t OM/ha/year compared with 17.6, 16.2 and 19.8 t OM/ha/year on those which received 100, 200 and 400 kg/ha/year. At 6.5, Bana produced 18.2 I OM/ha/year compared with 16,2 and 16.8 t OM/ha/year, at pH 4.2 and 5,6. It can be concluded that with a summer rainfall of 650 mm, Bana can, with low fertiliser inputs, produce large quantities of good quality material.
