TITLE:
Effect of Different Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates on the Forage Yield of Mombasa Guinea Grass (Panicum maximum cv. Mombasa) in the Benadir Region
AUTHORS:
Hibo Abdinasir Mohamud, Ahmed Elmi Warfa, Ibrahim Jamal Ahmed, Mohamud Abdulkadir Wardi, Nune Osman Hassan, Abdulahi Khalif Mohamed
KEYWORDS:
Panicum maximum, Nitrogen Fertilizer, Forage Yield, Mombasa Grass, Somalia, RCBD
JOURNAL NAME:
Agricultural Sciences,
Vol.16 No.11,
November
27,
2025
ABSTRACT: Forage production is crucial for livestock development, especially in regions where feed availability is limited. Among tropical forage grasses, Panicum maximum (Mombasa Guinea Grass) is highly valued for its adaptability, high biomass production, and nutritional quality. Effective fertilizer management, particularly nitrogen application, is vital to maximize yield while maintaining economic viability. A field experiment was carried out at Somali National University’s Gaheyr Campus in Mogadishu from September 2022 to March 2023 to assess how different rates of nitrogen fertilizer affect the growth and yield of Panicum maximum. The study used a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications over a total area of 264 m2, consisting of 21 plots of 9 m2 each. Seven nitrogen levels were tested: 0, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, and 150 kg∙N/ha. Data were analyzed using Statistix 8.0, and the results showed that nitrogen application had a highly significant impact (P