TY  - BOOK
AU  - Sonia V K 
AU  - Raghavan Pillai G (Guide)
TI  - Forage and seed production of Signal Grass (Brachiaria decumbens Stapf.) under different management practices
U1  - 630 
PY  - 1999///
CY  - Vellayani
PB  - Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture
N2  - 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 . 
. ' 


UR  - http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810104097
ER  -