The Effect of Cutting Age on the Growth, Biomass Production, and Nutrient Content of Biograss (Pennisetum Purpureum Cv. Biograss) at the Seventh Regrowth

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the effect of cutting age on biomass production and nutrient content of Biograss elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum cv. Biograss) at the seventh cutting. The study used an experimental method with a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) consisting of three treatments and four replications. The treatments were UP30 (cutting age of 30 days), UP60 (cutting age of 60 days), and UP90 (cutting age of 90 days). The results showed that the highest fresh biomass production was obtained at a cutting age of 90 days (UP90), reaching 54.09 tons/ha, while the highest dry matter production was also obtained at 90 days, reaching 26.10 tons/ha. The highest dry matter (DM) content was observed at 90 days (24.37%), the highest organic matter (OM) content at 60 days (84.91%), the highest crude protein (CP) content at 30 days (12.52%), and the highest crude fiber (CF) content at 90 days (25.33%). Statistical analysis showed that cutting age had a highly significant effect (P < 0.01) on biomass production and nutrient content of Biograss elephant grass. It can be concluded that a cutting age of 90 days resulted in the highest biomass production, whereas a cutting age of 30 days resulted in the highest nutritional content.