The effects of biogas slurry on the production and quality of maize fodder

The present study examined the effectiveness of biogas slurry (liquor from anaerobic digestion process) as a nitrogen source for the production of maize fodder (Zea mays). Maize fodder was cultivated as a control (T_0: 0 kg of slurry N ha^{-1}) and with 3 different levels of biogas slurry-T_1 (60 kg of slurry N ha^{-1}), T_2 (70 kg of slurry N ha^{-1}), and T_3 (82 kg of slurry N ha^{-1})-in a randomized block design. The parameters studied were plant height, stem circumference, number of leaves, leaf area, dry matter yield, and nutrient contents in maize fodder. Maize plant height and stem circumference were significantly (P < 0.01) influenced by increasing the rate of biogas slurry 14, 28, 42, and 56 days after sowing. The number of leaves in fodder plants did not differ significantly, but leaf area significantly (P < 0.01) differed between the treatment groups. The highest maize fodder biomass yield was observed in T_2 (54.12 t ha^{-1}). In the case of crude protein, a significant difference (P < 0.01) was observed between the treatment groups and the highest value was also observed in T_2 (11.91%). A significant difference was also observed in dry matter (P < 0.05) and ash (P < 0.01) content between the treatment groups, but not in acid detergent fiber (ADF) or neutral detergent fiber (NDF). Based on these results, it may be concluded that the application of approximately 70 kg of biogas slurry N ha^{-1} will improve the production of biomass and nutrient content in maize fodder.