SARAT SEKHAR BORA,*, KARUNA KANTA SHARMA, KARISHMA BORAH AND RANJIT KUMAR SAUD
KVK, Udalguri, AICRP on Forage crops & Utilization, Department of Horticulture,
Directorate of Extension Education
Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat-785013 (Assam), India
*(e-mail : saratsekharbora@gmail.com)
(Received : 2 March 2020; Accepted : 31 March 2020)

SUMMARY

Assam is basically an agricultural state and about 80 per cent of the people lives in villages. Agriculture and animal husbandry are the twin occupations upon which most of the rural people of Assam are dependent for their livelihood. Though, Assam as well as India has a substantial livestock population yet the production of milk and other livestock product is about the lowest in the world. In absence of sufficient grazing ground for maintaining cattle, sheep, goat on pasture, the importance of cultivation of forage crops to provide feed economically for production of milk, for draught animals need special emphasis. Improved package of practices based forage cultivation is still in its infancy stage in Assam and people generally depend on locally available forage. However, the grazing grounds are shrinking mainly due to population explosion which resulted in low availability of green forage making grazing animals malnourished both for maintenance and production. Nutrition is an integral part of livestock development. In dairy industry green grasses constitute the major ingredient of animal diet. Moreover, green grasses provide most of the essential vitamins and minerals required by the herbivorous animals. The effort made by the Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Department since 1960s to promote cultivation of high yielding fodder grasses in Assam met with negligible progress, although it is of paramount importance for the all-round development of livestock industry in the region. Scarcity of green grasses can greatly be reduced and cost of maintaining such animals in a commercial farm can be greatly reduced when cultivation of high yielding grasses viz. napier, hybrid napier, guinea, para grass, cowpea, maize, oats, teosinte, sorghum, subabul etc. are practiced within the farm premises. However, for selection of the type of grass to be cultivated in a particular farm yard for optimum performance, one should have a clear knowledge about the soil type. Animals are dependent on plants and plants on soil. Soil supplies all the essential micro and macro minerals required by the plant. Soil also supplies trapped atmospheric nitrogen to the plants. Thus soil makes the main natural media for cultivation of various plants including the fodder grasses. However, different fodder grasses needs different kinds of soil for their optimum growth. Efforts have been made to analyse the forage production, availability scenario and to suggest measures for ensuring maximum availability of fodder for sustaining livestock production in Assam.

Key words:Assam, agriculture, livestock, forage production, grazing

251-257

D. P. RATHOD, R. A. GAMI*, R. M. CHAUHAN, K. G. KUGASHIYA AND R. N. PATEL
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, S. D. Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar (Gujarat)
Sorghum Research Station, S. D. Agricultural University, Deesa-385 535 (Gujarat)
Department of Seed Technology, S. D. Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar (Gujarat)
Potato Research Station, S. D. Agricultural University, Deesa-385 535 (Gujarat)
*(e-mail : ramangami@gmail.com)
(Received : 29 February 2020; Accepted : 16 March 2020)

SUMMARY

The present investigation was carried out to study per se performance and magnitude of heterosis in sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]. The 27 hybrids were generated by L × T fashion during early summer, 2018 at Sorghum Research Station, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Deesa using three females (2219A, 296A and 7A) as a line and nine males (DS 105, DS 173, DS 155, DS 137, DS 167, DS 176, DS 149, DS 156 and DS 161) as a tester. The resultant 27 hybrids along with 12 parents and two standard checks (GJ 39 and CSH 30) were evaluated in randomized block design with three replications at Sorghum Research Station, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Deesa during kharif, 2018. Perusal of per se performance of parents and their hybrids for different traits evinced that 296A among the females, DS 155 among the males and 7A × DS 156, 296A × DS 173 and 296A × DS 161 among the hybrids exhibited higher mean performance for green fodder yield per plant and some of the yield contributing traits. For earliness, female 2219A, male DS 173 and hybrid 2219A × DS 137 were found superior as they exhibited lower values for days to flowering. Looking to the grain yield per plant, 7A among the females, DS 155 among the males and 296A × DS 137 among the hybrids recorded more grain yield per plant. Significant heterosis over better parent and best standard check (GJ 39 and CSH 30) was observed in many hybrids for various traits. The hybrid 296A × DS 173 manifested significant and positive heterosis over better parent (82.20 %), standard check GJ 39 (52.45 %) and CSH 30 (13.45 %), while hybrids 7A × DS 173, 2219A × DS 155 and 296A × DS 137 evinced significant and positive heterosis over better parent and standard check GJ 39 for the green fodder yield while in case of grain yield, the hybrid 296A × DS 137, 7A × DS 161 and 7A × DS 149 exhibited significant and desirable heterosis over better parent (92.21, 3.95 and 31.05 %), standard check GJ 39 (30.84, 27.83 and 19.78 %) and CSH 30 (14.02 and 11.40 %), respectively.

Key words:Per se performance, heterobeltiosis, standard heterosis, yield

258-263

A. THANGA HEMAVATHY*
Department of Pulses,
TNAU, Coimbatore-641 003 (Tamil Nadu), India
*(e-mail : hemavathytnau@gmail.com)
(Received : 21 March 2020; Accepted : 30 March 2020)

SUMMARY

An experiment was conducted in 26 genotypes of sweet corn to study Principal Component Analysis at Department of Millets, Centre for Plant Breeding and Genetics, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore during kharif, 2014. Eight quantitative and five qualitative characters were taken under observation to estimate substantial variation and relationship among sweet corn genotypes to identify the best performing lines. Analysis of variation for such quantitative traits in diverse line showed considerable and dissimilar level of variability. Green cob yield was highly significant and positively correlated with green cob length (0.410), green cob girth (0.579) and number of kernel rows per cob (0.421) however total sugar, sucrose and starch was non-significant negatively correlated with green cob yield. Principal component analysis showed the amount of variation by principal components as 1 to 6. Clustering analysis based on various morphological traits assorted 26 sweet corn genotypes into eight clusters. Dendrogram based on hierarchal clustering grouped genotypes based on their morphological traits rather than geographic origin. The diverse genotypes will be used for future breeding programme.

Key words:Sweet corn, principal component analysis, clustering, diversity

264-268

DEEPAK KAUSHIK, YOGESH JINDAL*, PUMMY KUMARI AND ARPIT GAUR
Department of Genetics & Plant Breeding
CCS Haryana Agricultural University,
Hisar-1250004, (Haryana), India
*(e-mail : yjindalhau@gmail.com)
(Received : 11 March 2020; Accepted : 25 March 2020)

SUMMARY

The present investigation was conducted on 49 different sorghum genotypes grown in randomized block design during kharif 2018 to evaluate, categorize and classify them on the basis of various DUS parameters. A total of 11 different qualitative traits were characterized as per the guidelines for the conduct of test for Distinctiveness, Uniformity and Stability on sorghum by PPV & FRA, GOI. The observations were taken on five randomly selected plants of each genotype for the following characters viz., anthocyanin coloration of coleoptiles and leaf sheath, midrib colour of leaf and flag leaf, colour of dry anther and glume, panicle shape and density, awn-ness, grain luster and colour. Results revealed that out of 49 genotypes, 11 genotypes were grouped under yellow green and remaining 38 under greyed purple on the basis of anthocyanin colouration of coleoptile. On leaf sheath anthocyanin coloration basis, 15 genotypes were greyed purple and 34 were yellow green. Thirty two genotypes had greyed yellow and 17 genotypes had white leaf mid rib colour. Mid rib coloration of flag leaf in 21 genotypes was white and in 38 genotypes it was found to be yellow green. Presence of awn was observed in 14 genotypes. On the basis of anther colour of dry anther, 17, 1, 8 and 23 genotypes were categorized into four groups viz., yellow orange, orange, orange red and greyed orange, respectively. Whereas, glume colour in genotypes were classified into five categories viz., green white (10), yellow white (13), greyed yellow (7), greyed orange (13) and greyed purple (6). Five different categories of panicle density viz., very loose (3), loose (11), semi loose (16), semi compact (18) and compact (1) were observed at maturity in these sorghum genotypes. On the basis of panicle shape eighteen genotypes had symmetrical, eight had panicle broader in lower part, ten had reverse pyramidal and thirteen had panicle broader in upper part. Twenty seven genotypes had lustrous grain and 22 genotypes had non lustrous grain. Grain colour varied among genotypes viz. white (12), yellow white (26), yellow orange (6), and greyed orange (5). The outcome of these traits tells us about the genetic architecture of the genotypes and their interaction within a specified environment for further improvement.

Key words:Sorghum, characterization, fodder, morphological traits

269-276

SUMAN DEVI, YOGENDER KUMAR*, AXAY BHUKER AND RAM NIWAS
Department of Genetics & Plant Breeding
CCS Haryana Agricultural University,
Hisar-125004 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail : yogenderkgulia@gmail.com)
(Received : 2 March 2020; Accepted : 29 March 2020)

SUMMARY

Fifty diverse genotypes of barely (Hordeum vulgare L.) were grown in the two environments with three replications during Rabi 2016-17 at Barley Research Area of Department of Genetics & Plant Breeding, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar (India). The objective of investigation was to study the genetic variability for ten metric traits i.e. days to heading, days to maturity, plant height (cm), spike length (cm), number of tillers per meter row, number of grains per spike, 1000 grain weight (g), grain yield (kg/plot), biological yield (kg/plot) and harvest index (%). Genotypes significantly differed for all the traits under both the environments indicating enough variability in the experimental material. The mean performance of genotypes under timely sown for most all characters was higher than under late sown condition. The results under investigation also revealed wide range for all the traits under both the environments. Among all the traits under both the conditions, number of grains per spike had highest phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation followed by grain yield per plot. Moderate to high heritability in broad sense observed under timely sown for all the traits except of plant height, harvest index and number of tillers per meter which exhibited low heritability. However, under late sown conditions, all the traits showed moderate to high heritability except plant height. Highest genetic advance as per cent of mean was recorded for number of grains per spike followed by grain yield under both environments. Moderate to high heritability coupled with high genetic advance under timely sown was observed for number of grains per spike, grain yield, 1000-grain weight, biological yield and spike length likewise, for number of grains per spike, grain yield, number of tiller per meter, biological yield and 1000 grain weight under late sown indicating the importance of these traits in selection and crop improvement.

Key words:Barley, GCV, PCV, heritability, genetic advance

277-280

P. SHALINI*, P. P. SURANA AND G. C. SHINDE
Department of Agricultural Botany
Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri (Maharashtra), India
*(e-mail : shalinipatil623.ss@gmail.com)
(Received : 31 December 2019; Accepted : 7 March 2020)

SUMMARY

In the present investigation, twenty four Bajra×Napier hybrids were developed and evaluated with four checks for 13 morphological traits planted in RBD with two replications in the Department of Agricultural Botany, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri. Analysis of variance revealed that mean squares due to genotypes were highly significant for all characters. Wide variations were observed for dry matter yield, crude protein yield, green forage yield, number of tillers/plant, average number of internodes/tiller and L: S ratio. The variation in green forage yield ranged between 1.78 kg/plant in RBN-16-55 to 8.26 kg/plant in PYT-13-391 with mean performance of 4.90 kg/plant. The genotype PYT-13-391(8.26) showed significantly higher green forage yield over the best check i.e. Phule Gunwant (6.88). Variation in crude protein (%) ranges between 7.01 per cent (RBN-17-38 and PYT-13-391) to 10.11 per cent (RBN-17-35) with mean performance of 8.53 per cent. Two genotypes viz., RBN-17-35 (10.11 %) and RBN-16-55 (9.98 %) recorded significantly higher crude protein per cent over best check i.e. Phule Jaywant (9.44).

Key words:Bajra×Napier hybrid, genetic variability, green forage yield and protein

281-284

NISHA, S. S. JAKHAR, AXAY BHUKAR AND SATPAL*
Department of Seed Science & Technology
Forage Section, Department of Genetics & Plant Breeding
CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail : satpal.fpj@gmail.com)
(Received : 29 January 2020; Accepted : 2 March 2020)

SUMMARY

The present study was undertaken to find out the performance of different single cut forage sorghum genotypes under different fertility levels. The field experiment was conducted at Research Farm, Department of Seed Science & Technology, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar (Haryana), India during kharif season, 2018. The single-cut forage sorghum genotypes used in the experiment were HC 136 and HJ 541. Among varieties highest (7.560) speed of emergence was recorded in variety HJ 541 while, lowest in HC 136. The maximum (4.264) reduction in speed of emergence was observed in variety HC 136 while, minimum (3.597) decrease was observed in variety HJ 541 from freshly harvested seed lot to two year old seed lot. Among seed lots, highest (7.560) mean emergence time was recorded in two year olds seed lot, while lowest in freshly harvested seed. The maximum reduction in mean emergence time (1.963) was observed in variety HJ 541 while it was minimum (1.917) in variety HC 136 from freshly harvested seed lot to two year old seed lot. In natural aged seed lots, only HJ 541 variety of sorghum sustained their germination up to one year showed that sorghum seed can be stored at ambient condition up to one year without loosening its viability. Based on the results, HJ 541 was concluded as superior variety on majority of the viability and vigour constraints results whereas HC 136 was recorded inferior.

Key words:Forage sorghum, emergence time, emergence index, Seedling establishment

285-288

B. GANGAIAH* AND M. S. KUNDU
Division of Natural Resource Management,
Division of Animal Science
ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair,
Andaman & Nicobar Islands-744 105, India
*(e-mail : bandlagangaiah1167@gmail.com)
(Received : 6 February 2020; Accepted : 1 March 2020)

SUMMARY

Andaman & Nicobar Islands dairy farming progress was severely constrained by fodder shortages and stakeholders were not aware of fodder cultivation. In this context, 4 fodder crops were introduced for the first time (4 sole and 2 intercrops) and tested for their fodder production in RBD with three replications at Port Blair under rain fed situations for two kharif seasons (2015 and 2016). The results revealed that additive series (1:1) intercropping of sweet sorghum/maize with cowpea having 19.5 & 1.5 t/ha and Rs. 52, 223/ha of cereal fodder equivalent & crude protein yield and gross income as the best system. Intercropping systems on average have a Land and income equivalent ratio (L/IER) values of 1.30 / 1.25 as compared to their sole crops. Hence, additive series intercropping of sweet sorghum / maize with cowpea (1:1) was recommended for augmenting fodder supplies in the islands.

Key words:Additive series, cowpea, fodder, intercropping, land equivalent ratio, maize, multicut sorghum, sweet sorghum and crude protein

289-294

A. SARMA, R. K. SAUD*, K. THAKURIA, K. K. SHARMA AND S. S. BORA
Department of Agronomy
Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat-785013 (Assam), India
*(e-mail : rksaud@gmail.com)
(Received : 6 December 2019; Accepted : 22 March 2020)

SUMMARY

A field experiment was carried out at the Instructional-cum-Research Farm of Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat during Rabi, 2016-2017 to study the effect of different levels of nitrogen and time of application on ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) for higher fodder production. Results revealed that application of 90 kg Nitrogen/ha in three splits as 40% basal + 30% after first cut + 30% after second cut produced the highest fodder yields with economic returns. The increase in total green fodder yield due to application of 30, 60 and 90 kg Nitrogen/ha over 0 kg Nitrogen/ha was 50.5, 59.0 and 64.8 per cent, respectively. The corresponding increase in total dry matter yield was 24.7, 33.0 and 38.3 per cent.

Key words:Fodder production, nitrogen management, ryegrass

295-297

AKSHIT, R. S. SHEORAN*, D. LOURA, SUNIL AND SATPAL
Department of Agronomy,
Forage Section, Department of Genetics & Plant Breeding,
CCS Haryana Agricultural University,
Hisar-125 004, Haryana, India
*(e-mail : sheoranrs@gmail.com)
(Received : 20 February 2020; Accepted : 21 March 2020)

SUMMARY

As berseem seed yield is responsive to potassium and boron fertilization and their interaction, so in order to find out their effect and relationship, a field experiment was conducted during rabi season of 2017-18 at Forage Research Farm of CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar. Treatment combinations comprised of four potassium levels i.e. 0, 20, 40 and 60 kg K2O/ha and four levels of boron i.e. 0, 2, 4 kg B /ha, and 0.2% B spray at flower initiation and at 50% flowering stage. The experiment was laid out in split plot design and replicated thrice. Maximum number of capsules/m2 (328.10), seeds/capsule (56.43), biological yield (49.91 q/ha) and seed yield (3.43 q/ha) were recorded at 60 kg K2O/ha which were significant higher than control and 20 kg K2O/ha. Number of capsules/m2 increased with increasing levels of boron over lower levels and the highest number of capsules/m2 (338.40), seeds/capsule (56.12), test weight, biological yield (50.81 q/ha) and seed yield (3.63 q/ha) were recorded with foliar spray of boron @ 0.2% spray at flower initiation and at 50% flowering stage. Interaction effect of potassium and boron was also found significant with the combination of 40 kg K2O/ha and 0.2% B spray at initiation and at 50% flowering over control which resulted in maximum number of capsules/m2 and seeds/capsule.

Key words:Berseem, potassium levels, boron fertilization, seed yield

298-302

KAVITA CHATURVEDI*, N. S. SOLANKI AND S. S. KADAM
Department of Agronomy, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Udaipur (Rajasthan)
*(e-mail : kavitachaturvedi294@gmail.com)
(Received : 3 March 2020; Accepted : 25 March 2020)

SUMMARY

A field experiment was carried out during rabi 2017-18 at Instructional Farm, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Udaipur with the objective to study the response of different fodder oat varieties to varying nitrogen levels. The experiment was conducted in factorial randomized block design. The treatments comprised of five varieties (Kent, JHO-851, JHO-822, JHO-99-2 and JHO-2000-4) and three nitrogen levels (80, 100 and 120 kg N/ha) with three replications. The soil of the experimental site was clay loam in texture with low in available nitrogen, medium in phosphorus and rich in potassium. The findings of the experiment indicated that variety JHO-99-2 recorded significantly higher crude protein, ash, ether extract and nitrogen free extract with low crude fibre content during both the cuttings. Similarly, application of 120 kg N/ha produced significantly higher crude protein, crude fibre, ash and ether extract content with less nitrogen free extract. The variety JHO-99-2 gave significantly higher NPK content and its uptake by fodder oat. NPK content and uptake by crop were increased significantly with increase in nitrogen levels and recorded maximum with the application of 120 kg N/ha at first and second cut.

Key words:Oat, varieties, nitrogen levels, quality, nitrogen uptake

303-307

GAURI MOHAN* AND KHOGEN KURMI
Department of Agronomy,
Assam Agricultural University,
Jorhat, Assam, India
*(e-mail : gaurimohan123@gmail.com)
(Received : 8 March 2020; Accepted : 22 March 2020)

SUMMARY

An experiment was carried out during 2016-2017 at the Instructional-cum-Research (ICR) Farm, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat to study the effect of relative profitability of dual purpose maize production. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design (RBD) with eight treatments replicated thrice. In this experiment maize were grown at different inter-row and intra-row spacing for grain (T₁) at a spacing of 60 cm × 30cm, fodder (T₂) at 30 cm × 15 cm. Fodder cum grain crop at 30cm × 30 cm with removal of alternate rows at knee-high stage (T₃), tasseling stage (T₄) and milking stage (T₅) for fodder. Fodder cum grain crop at 30cm × 15 cm with removal of alternate rows at knee-high stage (T₆), tasseling stage (T₇) and milking stage (T₈) for fodder. Two levels of fertilizer viz., F₁ : 100 % recommended dose of fertilizer and F₂ : 150% of recommended dose of fertilizer. The crop management practice T₇ recorded the highest gross return (Rs. 1,20,951/ha) and crop management practice T₁ recorded the highest net return (Rs. 90,631/ha) followed by crop management practice T₇ (Rs. 83,333/ha). Among the fertilizer level F₂: 150% of recommended dose of fertilizer recorded highest gross return (Rs. 1,05,543/ ha) and highest net return (Rs. 70,650/ha). The highest Benefit: Cost ratio of 4.46 was, however, found in grain crop sown at a spacing of 60cm × 30cm (T₁) and was almost equal (3.22) to the high density (30cm × 15cm) fodder cum grain crop followed by removal of alternate rows at tasseling stage for fodder (T₇).The highest Benefit: Cost ratio (3.02) in terms of levels of fertilizer was found in 150 per cent of recommended dose of fertilizer.

Key words:Maize, knee- high stage, tasseling stage, milking stage

308-313

SATPAL, R. PANCHTA, S. ARYA, D. P. SINGH, SURESH KUMAR AND NEELAM*
Forage Section,
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding
CCS Haryana Agricultural University,
Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail : berkesia.neelam@gmail.com)
(Received : 6 March 2020; Accepted : 28 March 2020)

SUMMARY

A field experiment was conducted at Dryland Research Area, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar (Haryana), India during rainy season (Kharif) of 2018. Two cluster bean genotypes (X-10 and HG 2-20) were grown in two crop geometries (30 cm ×10 cm and 45 cm × 10 cm) at three fertilizer levels (75, 100 and 125 per cent RDF) with split plot design in three replicates to find out the suitable genotype, crop geometry and fertilizer dose for kharif season. Among the genotypes, no significant difference was observed for seed yield. However, the seed yield of HG 2-20 was 6.07 per cent higher over X-10. Maximum B : C ratio (1.16) was fetched in HG 2-20 followed by X-10. Among different crop geometries, highest seed yield (473.9 kg/ha) was recorded at 45 cm × 10 cm which was significantly higher over 30 cm × 10 cm. Maximum B : C ratio (1.17) was fetched with the crop geometry 45 cm × 10 cm which was significantly superior over 30 cm ×10 cm. Among fertilizer levels, highest seed yield (653.76 kg/ha) was recorded with the application of 125 per cent RDF which was on a par with 100 per cent RDF. The seed yield recorded with 125 % RDF was 0.55 and 12.75 per cent higher over 100 and 75 per cent RDF, respectively. However, maximum B : C ratio (1.16) was fetched with the application of 100 per cent RDF which was on a par with 125 per cent RDF. In nutshell, the crop geometry 45 cm × 10 cm and 100 per cent recommended dose of fertilizer (basal application of 40 kg P₂O₅+20 kg N/ha) were found to be suitable for both the genotypes.

Key words:Cluster bean, crop geometry, fertilizer levels, seed yield, harvest index and economics

314-317

K. SATHIYA BAMA*, P. KARTHIKEYAN AND A. RAMALAKHSMI
Tamil Nadu Rice Research Institute, Aduthurai, Tamil Nadi-612101, India
Department of Agronomy, TNAU, Coimbatore, India
Department of microbiology, TNAU, -641003, India
*(e-mail : kssoilscience@gmail.com)
(Received : 4 January 2020; Accepted : 5 March 2020)

SUMMARY

A field experiment was conducted with an objective to assess the economics of continuous cultivation and supply of fodder maize and its impact on soil health. The trial was laid out with three kinds of cropping sequences i.e fodder maize three times with and without FYM. Available nutrient status in soil and crop nutrient uptake carried out after harvest in the cropping sequence showed the higher green fodder yield of 117 t/ha/yr with addition of FYM @ 25 t/ha than non-manured plots (98 t/ha/yr). In the interaction, three crops of fodder maize and one crop of fodder cowpea in the cropping sequence with FYM @ 25t/ha had produced maximum green fodder yield (134 t/ha/year) with higher net returns and BCR (1.80) over sole fodder maize. Soil analytical report revealed green manure included sequence registered higher soil quality parameters. Irrespective of cropping sequences of fodder maize, FYM applied plots @25 t/ha recorded higher nutrient status, organic carbon and microbial population. However, for sustainable soil health, three crops of fodder maize with inclusion of green manure (dhaincha) and FYM @25t/ ha showed better results in terms of increased nutrient status (17 % increase of OC and 13,16 and 8 % of N,P and K over initial status,) and soil microflora.

Key words:Fodder maize, cropping sequences, fodder yield, soil nutrients, economics

318-322

YOGESH JINDAL*, R. N. ARORA, D. S. PHOGAT, S. K. PAHUJA, L. K. MIDHA, S. K. GANDHI AND U. N. JOSHI
Forage Section, Department of Genetics & Plant Breeding
CCS Haryana Agricultural University,
Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail : yjindalhau@gmail.com)
(Received : 21 September 2019; Accepted : 17 December 2019)

SUMMARY

An improved single-cut fodder oat variety, “Central Oats OS 403” was developed by pedigree method of breeding by Forage Section, Department of Genetics & Plant Breeding, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar. Identified under AICRP on Forage Crops & Utilization, released and notified for cultivation under timely sown, normal fertility and irrigated conditions in the North West Zone of India (Haryana, Punjab, Uttrakhand and Rajasthan); North East (Assam, Manipur, Odhisha, West Bengal, Eastern UP, Bihar, Jharkhand) and South zone (Telengana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu). In the NWZ “CENTRAL OAT OS 403” provides 534 q/ha of green fodder. It gave 10.0-12.0% more green fodder yield than the national checks Kent and OS 6 in different zones. It gives high dry matter of 108 q/ha. It also has better nutritional qualities. It is moderately resistant to leaf blight disease, bold seeded and is capable of giving 18-20q/ha of seed.

Key words:Single-cut oat variety, OS 403, green fodder yield, dry matter yield

323-327