SARAT SEKHAR BORA*, KARUNA KANTA SHARMA, KARISHMA BORAH, RANJIT KUMAR SAUD AND LEKHIKA BORGOHAIN
KVK, Udalguri, AICRP on Forage Crops & Utilization, Department of Horticulture, Directorate of Extension Education, Department of Soil Science,
Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam-785013, India
*(e-mail : saratsekharbora@gmail.com)
(Received : 3 June 2020; Accepted : 28 June 2020)
SUMMARY
A field experiment was conducted at the Instructional-cum-Research (ICR) farm, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat (Assam) during 2016-17. The PRG-1 variety of ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) was tested at three seed rates and four nitrogen levels. The experiment was laid out in split-plot design in three replicates. The treatments consisted of three different seed rates in main plot viz., 10, 15 and 20 kg/ha along with four nitrogen levels viz., 0, 30, 60 and 90 kg N/ha in sub-plots. Results revealed that seed rates and nitrogen levels significantly effects ryegrass quality parameters. A seed rate of 20 kg/ha was found to be statistically superior in regards to quality parameters in all the three cuts viz. 1st, 2nd and 3rd cut as compared to seed rate of 15 kg and 10 kg/ha. The highest crude protein yield (6.21 q/ha) was obtained with seed rate of 20 kg/ha and was significantly superior to 15 kg/ha and 10 kg/ha. The crude protein content, crude fat content, crude fiber content of the ryegrass were also found to be significantly higher in seed rate of 20 kg/ha. In case of nitrogen levels application of 90 kg N/ha resulted in higher values in almost all the quality parameters. The highest crude protein yield (7.43 q/ha) was also obtained in 90 kg N /ha and was significantly superior to all other lower doses of nitrogen (60 kg and 30 kg N/ha). The crude protein content, crude fat content, crude fiber content of the ryegrass were also found to be significantly higher in nitrogen level of 90 kg N/ha.
Key words:Ryegrass, nitrogen level, seed rate, quality, crude protein, crude fiber, crude fat