The study was carried out to evaluate the growth performance, yield and chemical composition of chomo grass (Brachiaria humidicola) by application of different levels of coffee husk biochar and inorganic fertilizers. The experimental design was a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The treatments were: T1= Zero fertilizer, T2= 100% Biochar, T3= 75% Biochar and 25% inorganic fertilizer, T4=50% Biochar and 50% inorganic fertilizer, T5=25% Biochar and 75% inorganic fertilizer, T6=100% inorganic fertilizer. The result revealed that the combined application of biochar and inorganic fertilizer significantly affected (P<0.05) phonological variables, growth parameters except plant height, dry matter and seed yield, and chemical composition of the grass. The highest number of leaves and leaf to stem ratio was recorded for T6 and T2, while the lowest was from T1 and T3, respectively. Combination of biochar and inorganic fertilizer improved dry matter and seed yield, and crude protein contents of chomo grass. The partial budget analysis also affirmed the combined application of 50% biochar with 50% inorganic fertilizer (T4) gave a higher net benefit. Therefore, it is advised to use a combination of 50% biochar with 50% inorganic fertilizer to enhance the dry matter yield and nutritive value of chomo grass.

Keywords: Biochar, chemical composition, Chomo grass, dry matter yield, fertilizer, seed yield