Maher Noaman, 9 Gamma Street - PO Box 12619, EGYPT,Field Crops Research Institute, ARC, Agricultural Research Center, Field Crops Research Institute, ARC, Giza, 12619, EGYPT
A field experiment was conducted at Al-Oha Farm, UAE University, about 20 Km from AL-Ain City, UAE during 2002 and 2003, with the objective of studying the effect of cutting frequency and cutting height on the growth and yield of Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana Kunth) under field conditions. The experimental design was Randomized Complete Block in split plot with four replications. The main plots were assigned to three cutting frequencies of 45, 60, and 75 days of regrowth after planting, while the sub-plots were assigned to cutting heights of 10, 15 and 20 cm aboveground. Each treatment had an area of 3.60 m2. The experimental plot was irrigated using drip irrigation every other day to avoid any problem of drought stress. Plant height was taken as a mean of five plant heights then plants were cut according to the experimental scheme, and the fresh weight was taken for each treatment. The analyses of variance were performed for the split-plot design by the procedures outlined in Steel & Torrie (1960) at P-value = 0.05 and 0.01. Data of the first cut showed no significant differences between the three levels of cutting heights and frequency regarding both plant height and fresh weight. The highest combination of the two factors, i.e. cutting frequency and height of cutting, was cutting after 60 days from planting with cutting height of 20 cm aboveground, while the lowest combination obtained was cutting after 45 days from planting with cutting height of 15 cm aboveground. Regarding the fresh weights, the highest combination was cutting after 75 days from planting with cutting height of 15 cm.