Evaluation and nutritional management of fodder crops in summer rice fallows

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at the Cropping Systems Research Centre, Karamana, Thiruvananthapuram during February, 2000 - May, 2000 to evaluate the production potential and quality of different fodder crops in summer rice fallows and to study the changes in physio- chemical properties of soil due to fodder cropping and to work out the economics of fodder production. The treatment consisted of combined application of two levels of vermicompost (2.5 t ha' and 5 t ha") and two levels of chemical fertilizers (50 per cent and 100 per cent POP recommendation) on two cereal fodders (bajra and sorghum) and two leguminous fodders (Sesbania rostrata and cowpea). The experiment was laid out in split plot design with four replications. Plant height, leaf area index and leaf: stem ratio differed significantly with the application of different combinations of vermicompost and chemical fertilizers. All these parameters were found to be increasing with increasing levels of vermicompost and chemical

fertilizers.

Integrated application of vermicompost (5 t ha") and chemical fertilizers (100 per cent POP recommendation) produced the maximum value for all the growth parameters. The green fodder yield and dry fodder yield of all the fodder crops were favourably enhanced by vermicompost application. Application of highest dose of vermicompost combined with the highest dose of chemical fertilizers recorded the maximum fodder yield III all the four fodder crops. Crude protein content of fodder crops increased with incremental doses of nutrients where as crude fibre content decreased with incremental doses of vermicompost and chemical fertilizers. Incremental doses of the vermicompost and chemical fertilizers decreased the bulk density of soil where as water holding capacity increased with higher doses of nutrients. Available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium status of soil were improved and showed an increasing trend with the increasing levels of vermicompost and chemical fertilizers. Green fodder yield was maximum III cowpea while dry fodder yield was maximum in sorghum. Cowpea plants recorded the highest crude protein content, nitrogen content and potassium content followed by Sesbania rostrata. Sorghum recorded the highest crude fibre content and cowpea recorded the' lowest crude fibre content. The uptake of nitrogen and phosphorus were maximum III Sesbania rostrata whereas cowpea recorded the maximum potassium uptake.