Effect of plant spacing, phosphorus level, and time of harvest on forage yield of lablab (<i>Lablab purpureus</i>), cv. Highworth.

Abstract

A field trial was conducted at Shika, Northern Nigeria to examine the effects of two plant spacings: 30 x 25cm (S1) and 60 x 25cm (S2), four phosphorus levels (75,100,125 and 150kgP/ha) and harvesting at 86,100,114 and 128 days after planting (DAP) on forage yield of Lablab purpureus cv. Highworth. Closer spacing significantly gave higher (P < 0.05)leaf, stem and total dry matter (DM) yields than wider spacing. Application of phosphorus fertilizer did not significantly (P> 0.05) influence stem and total DM yield. Leaf DM yield was affected (P<0.05) by the levels of fertilizer applied. Earlier harvest favoured leaf OM yield, while later harvests gave significantly (P < 0.05) higher stem and total DM yields. The contributions of stem towards the total DM yield increased with age of plant :86 DAP (55%) < 100 DAP (71 %) < 114 DAP (80%) < 128 DAP (89%). The data obtained suggest that a spacing of 30x25cm with the application of 100kg P/ha would suffice for satifactory forage yield.

Keywords: Spacing, Phosphorus, Harvest lime, lahlab