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An Experimental Treatment, A learnt from Actual Condition; The effect of shading and organic fertilizer on forage production
3.1 Introduction
Agroforestry system was known briefly as an effort for providing forage, elaborated with forest plantation. However, agroforestry system was complicated
because it involved many factors, such as solar radiation, tree growth, density, sloping, rainfall etc. Those factors were quite hard to understand in estimating
forage production. Simplification of those factors was required in estimating forage availability in forest. In order we could understand the potency of
agroforestry as the source of forage plantation. Therefore, the research was conducted, several factors were involved to understanding the Agroforestry
system related to the small-scale dairy farming in Indonesia. A learn from actual condition was introduced in field experiment research. The using of P. purpureum
as the most used forage variety used by farmers, whereas discover the potency of S. splendida as the other variety for animal feed also conducted. S. splendida has
been known as the one of forage that used as a feed for animal. Wilson and Minson 1980 also proofed that the leaf of plant has a more the organic matter
digestible than the steam. S. splendida, consist more leaves than the steam. Further, we would like also gained about the endurance of S. splendida
underneath the levels of shade. Level of irradiance shading was used as the first factor assumed might
affect forage production. It became the primary limiting factor because levels of shade would curb growth in biomass accumulation. Organic fertilizer was used as
the secondary factor. Using organic fertilizer was very important for sustainability dairy farming. Since the organic fertilizer has been known widely as the factor
that might increase SOM Soil Organic Matter. SOM was also known as the indicator for soil health. Defoliation management also affected forage production
substantially. Defoliation, whether by hand or by animals reduced leaf area and induced a carbon shortage in plants through reduction in light interception. The
objection of this research is to gain the information about the forage yield due to shading affect and its quality.
3.2 Method
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100 200
300 400
500 600
700 800
900
40d
Initial harvest time adding organic
fertilizer
Therefore, we measured the solar intensity intended for determining levels of shade. The data was acquired for 8 hours 9 AM- 4.00 PM by using solar
meter. Figure 5 described clearly the measurement of solar radiation in Field Experiment Research.
Figure 5. The trend of solar irradiance on different of the level of shades. 0 levels of shade, 60 levels of shade, 80
level of shades. It could be seen from figure above that the different on levels of shade
affected the solar radiance acceptation by plant. It indicated that the highest number of solar radiance was 780 wm
2
, 298 wm
2
, 110 wm
2
for each shading level; 0, 60, 80. The lowest number of solar radiance was 443 wm
2
, 108 298 wm
2
and 42 wm
2
with the average was 572.80 wm
2
, 218.9 wm
2
and 57.64 wm
2
for each shading level. Since defoliation management had been influenced forage production, hence it was emphasized on this research. Defoliation
management was implied in this research, including 40, 50, 60 days after plantation Figure 6.
Figure 6. Defoliation management introduced in this research.
40 50
60
First harvest time
Secondary harvest time
Third harvest time
