MSc

A field experiment was conducted at the instructional farm, Vellayani during 1995 – 1996 for studies on intensive fodder production through legume intercropping in hybrid napier. It was aimed to evaluate the performance of hybrid napier as influenced by planting geometrics, intercrops and nitrogen levels. The experiment was laid out in factorial Randomised Block Design. The abstract of the results is given below.

1. The growth parameters of both the base crop as well as intercrops were influenced significantly by planting geometrics and nitrogen levels. Both hybrid napier as well as intercrops recorded the maximum value when paired row system of planting was undertaken. With regard to hybrid napier, maximum values were recorded when supplemented with 100 percent N. However the intercrops recorded the maximum values when 75 percent N was applied.
2. Leaf: stem ratio of both hybrid napier and intercrops were not influenced by planting geometrics. Leaf : stem ratio decreased with application of N in grass and increased with the same in legumes.
3. Green and dry fodder yields of grass were maximum under paired row system of planting. The yields were maximum when lablab bean was grown as intercrop and supplemented with 100 percent N. But in the case of intercrops, the yields were higher for lablab bean under paired row system of planting besides supplementing with 75 percent N.
4. Root growth of fodder crops was maximum under paired row system of planting. Growing lablab bean as the intercrop besides supplementation of 100 percent N enhanced the root spread and root depth of the grass and recorded the maximum values. With regard to intercrops, lablab bean had better root growth and was maximum when 100 percent N was applied.
5. In the case of hybrid napier, highest value for crude protein and lowest value for crude fibre were recorded under paired row system of planting. The maximum and minimum values for crude protin and crude fibre respectively were obtained when 100 percent N was applied. With regard to intercrops, maximum value for crude protein and minimum value for crude fibre were recorded by lablab bean when 75 and 100 percent N respectively were applied.
6. The content and uptake of N.P.K. Ca and Mg were higher in both the crops under paired row system of planting. Higher values were recorded by hybrid napier when lablab bean was grown as the intercrop. Both the base crop and intercrops recorded higher values for the content of nutrients when 100 percent N was applied.
7. Adoption of grass – legume mixture improved the physico-chemical properties of the soil. Bulk density was reduced and porosity increased.
The status of N, P and K were higher in plots where paired row system of planting was undertaken. The content of nutrients were higher when lablab bean was grown as the intercrop and supplemented with 100 percent N.
8. Aggressivity and LER values were maximum under paired row system of planting. Lablab bean when raised as the intercrop besides supplementation of 100 percent N recorded the maximum values.
9. Maximum net profit of Rs. 46579 was obtained when hybrid napier was grown under paired row system of planting with lablab bean as the intercrop and supplemented with 100% N whereas the minimum profit of Rs. 25630 was recorded by the pure crop of hybrid napier.