Evaluation of shade tolerant fodder crops in Melia dubia based silvipastoral system Ramah K.1,*, Parthiban K.T.1, Sivakumar K.2, Sekar I.1, Rajendran P.1 1Forest College and Research Institute, TNAU, Mettupalayam-641301, India 2Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore-641003, India *Corresponding author e-mail: kr74@tnau.ac.in
Online Published on 20 August, 2022. Abstract A field experiment was conducted at Forest College and Research Station, Mettupalayam during 2017-2019 to evaluate a suitable shade tolerant fodder grass and legume combination in the existing plantation of Melia dubia. The fodder crops viz., CO(BN)5 grass, guinea grass CO(GG)3, lucerne (Medicago sativa), hedge lucerne (Desmanthus virgatus) and Stylosanthes were planted and sown in two years old Melia plantation both as sole crop and in combination. The trials were laid out in randomized block design and replicated thrice. Results of this experiment revealed that CO (BN)5 grass along with hedge lucerne was found to be efficient shade tolerant fodder crops under Melia plantation. The fodder crops grown as intercrops contributed beneficial impact on the growth of tree crop. Top Keywords Fodder crops, Melia, Shade tolerant, Silvipasture, Soil fertility. Top |