Abd Jalil, Mohd Taufik and Rabae, Nur Ainu Farhah and Zainul Azlan, Nurhazirah and Othman, Noratikah and Jainlabdin, Mohd Hanif and Md. Isa, Muhammad Lokman (2026) Effects of organic, inorganic and combined fertilizer applications in improving Pennisetum purpureum (Napier grass) production on infertile soils. In: IIUM PG Colloquium 2025, 23 October 2025, IIUM.
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Abstract
Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) is a vital tropical forage crop for its high biomass yield, adaptability, and palatability, making it essential for livestock feed. However, its productivity is limited by declining soil fertility and intensive usage of chemical fertilizer which further compromises long‑term soil health. Therefore, this study evaluated the effects of organic, inorganic, and combined fertilizer applications on soil fertility indicators of Napier grass grown in infertile soils to identify sustainable management strategies. The experiment involved Napier grass grown in 75 polybags and arranged in a randomized block design with five treatments: T1 (control), T2 (rabbit manure as organic fertilizer), T3 (chemical fertilizer), T4 (compost of rabbit manure), and T5 (combined organic and chemical fertilizers). Soil samples were analyzed at Day 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90 for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). Results showed that T2 sustained near-neutral pH (6.70–7.37), balance N (16.00–23.30 mg/kg) and K (39.70–56.30 mg/kg), with EC values within safe limits (0.12–0.38 dS/m). In contrast, T3 increased nutrient availability but induced acidification (pH 4.50–4.87), while T4 exhibited initially high nutrient levels and EC (1.95 dS/m) that declined sharply after Day 45, reflecting instability and leaching. T5 showed intermediate results with nutrient fluctuations. These findings demonstrate that organic fertilization using rabbit manure provides the most consistent improvement in soil fertility, balancing nutrient supply, pH, and EC. Thus, organic inputs can reduce reliance on chemicals, enhance soil resilience, and support sustainable forage production in infertile soils.
| Item Type: | Proceeding Paper (Other) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Napier grass, Pennisetum purpureum, soil fertility, organic fertilizer, rabbit manur |
| Subjects: | S Agriculture > S Agriculture (General) S Agriculture > S Agriculture (General) > S494.5.S86 Sustainable agriculture |
| Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button): | Institute of Planetary Survival for Sustainable Well-Being (PLANETIIUM) Kulliyyah of Nursing Kulliyyah of Nursing > Department of Basic Medical Sciences for Nursing |
| Depositing User: | Asst Prof Dr Nurhazirah Zainul Azlan |
| Date Deposited: | 06 Oct 2026 09:39 |
| Last Update: | 06 Oct 2026 09:39 |
| Queue Number: | 2026-09-Q5431 |
| URI: | http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/130877 |
| Indexed In: | UNSPECIFIED |
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