Effects of Spacing and Nitrogen Fertilizer on Growth and Biomass Yield of Mezrut Grass (Echinochloa spp.) under Rain Fed Condition in Western Tigray, Northern Ethiopia

Mezrut grass (Echinochloa spp.), which was one of the locally available grass, was released by Humera Agricultural Research Center (HuARC) by intended to contribute paramount role in addressing feed shortage of the area, but yet it is not documented with its appropriate agronomic practices such as nitrogen fertilizer and spacing. This study was conducted at Humera, Kebabo, Banat, Zerbabit and Ruwasa, western zone of Tigray, northern Ethiopia in 2018 under rain fed condition to determine effect of spacing and nitrogen fertilizer on growth and biomass yield of Mezrut grass (Echinochloa spp.). The experiment was arranged in a split plot design with six nitrogen fertilizer levels (0, 11.5, 23.0, 34.5, 46.0 and 57.5 kgNha-1) applied in the form of urea and four spacing (40, 60, 80 and 100 cm), with Echinochloa spp. as a test crop. Data were recorded on dry matter yield (DMY), 50% flowering date, plant height and number of tillers at harvest. Statistical significant difference (p<0.05) due to nitrogen fertilizer was observed on DMY, 50% flowering date and plant height at harvest. Similarly, the study also revealed that spacing had significant (p<0.001) effect on DMY and plant height at harvest. Relatively higher DMY and plant height at harvest were obtained from 23.0, 34.5, 46.0 and 57.5 kg Nha-1 as compared with the other treatments set up. Moreover, higher and lower values of DMY and plant height at harvest were obtained from 40 and 80cm spacing, respectively. The study suggested that application of 23.0 kgNha-1 and 40 cm spacing improved biomass yield and plant height at harvest of Mezrut grass (Echinochloa spp.) under rain fed condition and recommended to be implemented. Therefore, application of 23.0 kgNha-1 and 40cm spacing to boost biomass yield and plant height of Echinochloa spp. should be demonstrated and popularized in the study area and other similar agro ecologies of the country.