Agronomic Performance and Nutritive Value Evaluation of Desho Grass Varieties Under Supplementary Irrigation in Western Oromia, Ethiopia

The study was conducted to evaluate the agronomic performance, forage yield, and nutritive values of desho grass (Pennisetum glaucifolium) varieties under supplementary irrigation at Dambi Dollo University experimental site, Western Ethiopia. The varieties (Areka/DZF #590, Kindu kosha-1/DZF #591, and Kulumsa/DZF #592) were arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications. The crop water requirements 8.0 model, local climate data, forage data, and soil data were used to determine desho grass water requirements and irrigation schedules. The parameters such as agronomic performance, yield, chemical composition, and in vitro digestibility of the forage samples at 105 days after planting were determined following the standard procedures. The results showed significant differences (p < 0.05) among varieties in most agronomic parameters except plant height and leaf width. The highest dry matter and crude protein yields were recorded from Areka/DZF #590 (12.64 and 1.35 t/ha) followed by Kulumsa/DZF #592 (11.63 and 1.12 t/ha). The chemical composition of varieties differed significantly except for hemicellulose. The in vitro digestibility of Areka/DZF #590 (624.7 g/kg) was significantly higher than Kulumsa/DZF #592 (584.3 g/kg) and Kindu kosha-1/DZF #591 (580.9 g/kg). In conclusion, the Areka (DZF #590) desho grass variety showed superior dry matter yield and good nutritive value under supplementary irrigation conditions. Therefore, this variety is suitable and recommended for use as animal feed in the study area.