Productivity and quality of fodder as influenced by different bajra napier hybrid and legume fodder cropping systems Manoj K. N.1,*, Shekara B. G.2, Agrawal R. K.3, Mudalagiriyappa4, Chikkarugi N. M.2 1University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bangalore-560065, India 2AICRP on Forage Crops, Zonal Agricultural Research Station, Mandya-571405, India 3AICRP on Forage Crops and Utilization, ICAR-IGFRI, Jhansi-284003, India 4AICRP on Dryland Agriculture, GKVK, Bangalore-560065, India *Corresponding author e-mail: manojrajagri@gmail.com
Online Published on 20 August, 2022. Abstract The adoption of perennial cereal-legume cropping systems will play an important role in achieving higher fodder productivity and provides a way to bridge the gap between supply and demand of fodder in the country. In this context, a field experiment was conducted to identify the suitable BN hybrid + legume intercropping systems in randomized complete block design with three replications. The results revealed that BN hybrid + lucerne (2:8) system recorded significantly higher green fodder (161.4 t/ha/year) and dry matter (31.7 t/ha/year) yields and also yield of fodder quality attributes. However, crude protein (22.20%), ash (11.12%) and ether extractable fat (3.75%) were higher with sesbania grown as a sole crop. The higher non-fibre carbohydrates (34.20%) and total carbohydrates (76.86%) were noticed with sole cropped BN hybrid. The BN hybrid intercropped with legumes performed better interms of quality forage yield and proved as viable systems than sole cropping systems. Top Keywords BN hybrid, Carbohydrates, Crude protein, Fodder yield, Legume fodder. Top |