RUNDAN V., MAGAN SINGH, PRAVEEN B. R.* AND M. BHARGAVA NARASIMHA
YADAV
Department of Agronomy, 3Department of Soil Science and Agricultural chemistry,
University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad-580 005 (Karnataka), India
Agronomy Section, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal-132 001 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail: praveengowdabr07@gmail.com)
(Received : 18 March 2023: Accepted : 30 March 2023)
SUMMARY
Fodder cereals and legume-based intercropping play an important role in providing a balanced diet for our livestock. Legumes in fodder cereals play an important role in increasing fodder yield and quality. Furthermore, nutrient management practices in fodder cereal and legume based intercropping helps to achieve optimum production without compromising fodder biomass. As a result, the current study was carried out during the Kharif season of 2019 at the Research Farm of the Agronomy Section,
ICAR-NDRI, Karnal, to investigate the effect of nutrient management practices on fodder maize and ricebean intercropping. The experimental results revealed a higher value of green fodder yield and dry matter yield in a 1:1 and 2:1 ratio of maize and ricebean intercropping with 100% RDF and PGPR. When maize and ricebeans were grown in a 1:1 ratio with 100% RDF + PGPR, the land equivalent ratio (LER), maize equivalent yield (MEY), and relative crowding coefficient (K) values increased. Furthermore, the monetary returns of maize + ricebean (1:1) with 100% RDF + PGPR application accounted for higher net returns (Rs. 41,969 ha-1) and the maximum B: C ratio (2.27) and proved to be more advantageous than pure stands.
Key words: Fodder, intercropping indices, nutrient management and economics