EFFECT OF ROW SPACINGS AND NITROGEN LEVELS ON THE PRODUCTIVITY OF SEWAN (LASIURUS SINDICUS) GRASS IN HOT ARID REGION OF WESTERN RAJASTHAN
K.C. SHARMA*
Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute,
Arid Region Campus, Bikaner-334 006, Rajasthan
(Email: kc_64sharma@yahoo.com)
(Received: 7 September 2013; Accepted 26 October 2013)
SUMMARY
The field experiment was conducted at Bikaner (Rajasthan) to find out the effect of different row spacings and nitrogen levels on the productivity and quality of sewan (Lasiurus sindicus) grass. Results indicated that closest row spacing viz., 25 cm. recorded maximum fresh forage yield (153.7 q/ha), dry matter yield (51.3 q/ha), Crude Protein content (9.0%), CP yield (464.9 kg/ha), energy ratio (9.83) and energy productivity (544.4 g/MJ). These yields were at par with spacing 50 cm but significantly higher over 75 cm. Whereas, highest values of net returns (Rs.10,558/ha) and B:C ratio (2.09) were recorded with 50 cm apart rows. In case of nitrogen, highest dose i.e. 60 kg N/ha recorded maximum fresh forage yield (177.5 q/ha), dry matter yield (59.2 q/ha), CP content (9.17%), CP yield (543.0 kg/ha) and net returns (Rs. 13,647/ha). These values were in statistical parity with N dose of 40 kg/ha but significantly higher over other lower levels. However, highest values of energy ratio (10.55), energy productivity (586.0 g/MJ) and B:C ratio (2.37) were recorded with 40 kg N/ha. Overall, it may be inferred that for getting higher, energy efficient and economical forage yields, sewan grass should be sown at 50 cm apart rows and fertilized with 40 kg N/ha in hot arid region of Rajasthan.
Key words: Row spacing, nitrogen, forage productivity, protein, sewan grass