Effect of Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates on Growth Performance and Yield of Brachiaria Mulato II in the Benadir Region, Somalia

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at the Somali National University experimental farm, Gaheyr campus (Mogadishu, Somalia), from October 2021 to February 2022 to evaluate the effect of different nitrogen fertilizer rates on the growth and yield of Brachiaria Mulato II. The study employed a randomized complete block design with three replications and seven nitrogen levels (0, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150 kg N/ha). Growth and yield responses were assessed to determine the optimum nitrogen requirement and identify the critical rate beyond which forage yields are no longer significant or economically justified. Nitrogen application significantly (P < 0.05) improved most growth parameters and had a clear positive effect on both fresh and dry biomass yield. Fresh yield increased from 40,750 to 56, 833 kg/ha, while dry yield increased from 14,583 to 23,083 kg/ha between 0 and 150 kg N/ha, respectively. Economic analysis further indicated that application of 100 kg N/ha provided the highest net profit, making it the most economically efficient nitrogen rate for Brachiaria Mulato II production under the conditions of this study. Overall, the study concludes that 100 kg N/ha represents the critical nitrogen dose for Brachiaria mulato II grown on sandy soils of the Benadir region, producing the highest statistically significant yield while remaining economically optimal for farmers.