Sonia V K
Forage and seed production of Signal Grass (Brachiaria decumbens Stapf.) under different management practices - Vellayani Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture 1999
A field experiment was conducted in the Instructional Farm,
College of Agriculture, Vellayani to assess the forage and seed production
potential of signal grass under open conditions. The effect of varying
levels of nitrogen, potassium and cutting management on the yield and
quality of fodder and on the seed production potential of the grass were
studied. The investigation was carried out for a period of one year from
July 1998 to July 1999.
The results revealed that nitrogen applied at the rate of 200 kg
ha! improved the growth parameters like plant height, tiller number per
hill and leaf number per hill. Potassium showed no significant response
on growth parameters.
The green fodder and dry fodder yields were favourably enhanced
by nitrogen application. Nitrogen had a favourable effect on the number
of days to attain 50 per cent flowering. Other yield attributes like number
of seeds per panicle, seed yield and thousand seed weight were favourably
. influenced by all the main treatment effects viz., nitrogen, potassium and
cutting management.
2
Nitrogen exerted significant influence on leaf area index in the
later harvests. Maximum leaf area index was noticed in the second harvest
stage. The treatment with highest level of nitrogen alone influenced
seed germination significantly.
Application of nitrogen as well as potassium reduced the nitrogen
content of the fodder. Potassium application resulted in a significant
increase in potassium content of forage. Incremental levels of nitrogen
reduced the crude fibre content. Potassium application resulted in a
decreasing trend in crude protein content. The calcium and magnesium
contents increased by potassium application alone. Incremental levels
of applied potassium exerted a reducing effect on calcium and magnesium
content of fodder. The K : (Ca+Mg) ratio of the fodder increased with
increase in levels of applied potassium.
The available nitrogen status of the soil was improved by nitrogen
application. The available potassium status of the soil declined with
increase in applied nitrogen while higher potassium levels substantially
enhanced the available K status of soil. Considering the economics of
fodder cultivation, highest B:C ratio was realised for the treatment which
received the highest dose of nitrogen and potassium .
. '
630 / SON/FO
Forage and seed production of Signal Grass (Brachiaria decumbens Stapf.) under different management practices - Vellayani Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture 1999
A field experiment was conducted in the Instructional Farm,
College of Agriculture, Vellayani to assess the forage and seed production
potential of signal grass under open conditions. The effect of varying
levels of nitrogen, potassium and cutting management on the yield and
quality of fodder and on the seed production potential of the grass were
studied. The investigation was carried out for a period of one year from
July 1998 to July 1999.
The results revealed that nitrogen applied at the rate of 200 kg
ha! improved the growth parameters like plant height, tiller number per
hill and leaf number per hill. Potassium showed no significant response
on growth parameters.
The green fodder and dry fodder yields were favourably enhanced
by nitrogen application. Nitrogen had a favourable effect on the number
of days to attain 50 per cent flowering. Other yield attributes like number
of seeds per panicle, seed yield and thousand seed weight were favourably
. influenced by all the main treatment effects viz., nitrogen, potassium and
cutting management.
2
Nitrogen exerted significant influence on leaf area index in the
later harvests. Maximum leaf area index was noticed in the second harvest
stage. The treatment with highest level of nitrogen alone influenced
seed germination significantly.
Application of nitrogen as well as potassium reduced the nitrogen
content of the fodder. Potassium application resulted in a significant
increase in potassium content of forage. Incremental levels of nitrogen
reduced the crude fibre content. Potassium application resulted in a
decreasing trend in crude protein content. The calcium and magnesium
contents increased by potassium application alone. Incremental levels
of applied potassium exerted a reducing effect on calcium and magnesium
content of fodder. The K : (Ca+Mg) ratio of the fodder increased with
increase in levels of applied potassium.
The available nitrogen status of the soil was improved by nitrogen
application. The available potassium status of the soil declined with
increase in applied nitrogen while higher potassium levels substantially
enhanced the available K status of soil. Considering the economics of
fodder cultivation, highest B:C ratio was realised for the treatment which
received the highest dose of nitrogen and potassium .
. '
630 / SON/FO