Dry matter accumulation dynamics, morphological characteristics and nutritive value of desho (Pennisetum glaucifolium) grass varieties in the central Highlands of Ethiopia

Desho (Pennisetum glaucifolium) grass is one of the indigenous cultivated multipurpose perennial forage crops grown  for animal feed and soil conservation practices in Ethiopia. This study was conducted to evaluate desho grass varieties  for their morphological characteristics, dry matter yield performance, and nutritive value in the central highlands of  Ethiopia. The study was conducted at Holetta Agricultural Research Center during the main cropping seasons of 2013 -  2017 under rain fed conditions. Four varieties of desho grass, viz. Areka (DZF # 590), Kulumsa (DZF # 592), Kindu Kosha-1  (DZF # 591), and Kindu Kosha-2 (DZF # 589) were planted in a randomized complete block design with three  replications. Though the plant height of desho grass varieties was not significant (P>0.05) at each production year and  combined over years, it significantly differed among the production years. The number of nodes per plant and leaf to  stem ratio varied significantly while the internode length was not significant among desho grass varieties. The  combined over years analysis indicated that the leaf and stem dry matter yields varied significantly (P<0.05) for desho  grass varieties. Furthermore, the leaf and stem dry matter yields differed significantly among the production years. The  total dry matter yield accumulated by desho grass varieties varied significantly and Areka (DZF # 590) variety  accumulated the highest dry matter yield (23.8 t/ha) followed by Kulumsa (DZF # 592) variety (23.1 t/ha), while Kindu  Kosha-1 (DZF # 591) accumulated the least (18.8 t/ha) dry matter yield. The first year of production produced the lowest  dry matter yield while the accumulation of dry matter yield increased for consecutive production years but the yield  declined in the last production year. The highest dry matter yield was accumulated in the 2016 production year and it  had 19.8 and 4.3% advantages over the 2014 and 2015 production years, respectively. The crude protein yield and  nutritive value among desho grass varieties was not significant. The result indicated that the crude protein yield of  desho grass varieties ranged from 2.8 to 4.0 t/ha with a mean of 3.4 t/ha. Similarly, the crude protein content ranged  from 10.7 to 12.5% with a mean of 11.7%. Generally, the varieties have comparable performances for measured traits in  the study area. However, further study should be conducted over locations and years to select and recommend the best   variety for the study area and to other similar agro-ecologies.