SUNIL, AKSHIT*, R. S. SHEORAN, SATPAL, HARENDER, DEEPAK LOURA, SUSHIL KUMAR AND PARAS
Department of Agronomy, Directorate of Extension Education,
Forage Section, Department of Genetics & Plant Breeding,
Department of Genetics & Plant Breeding,
CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail : akshitrathore43@gmail.com)
(Received : 18 June 2020; Accepted : 30 September 2020)

SUMMARY

In recent times, the popularity of forage and livestock sector has increased at a very rapid rate throughout the country due to their important roles in employment generation and sustainable production. From last few decades, the problems associated with climate change have reached to a new height. Among these problems, the elevation in CO₂ concentration has most disastrous impacts on forage production. This elevated level of CO₂ decreases the quality as well as quantity of various fodder crops and trees. Impact of climate change varies from sector to sector depending on their inherent capacity of adaptation and vulnerability. Forage sector act as both contributor as well as source of adaptation to climate change. Generally, the crop simulation models are used at wider scale to assess the impact of climate change on crop production. With the help of these simulation models, various crop management decisions are made to provide alternative options to farmers for their farming system. Use of these models will increase in near future due to advancement in technologies and computer use. Various approaches of climate resilient agriculture have potential to mitigate the harmful impacts of climate change and thus raise the income of farm families. This paper provides an overview of impact of climate change on forage production and possible management strategies to mitigate its harmful impacts on forage crops for achieving sustainable production.

Key words:Climate change, forage, pasture, mitigation

105-113

MENGISTIE YIHUNIE*
West Gojjam Land Administration and Use, Finoteselam, Amhara Region, Ethiopia
*(e-mail : mengisteyihunie@gmail.com)
(Received : 26 June 2020; Accepted : 10 September 2020)

SUMMARY

The study was carried out to characterize the beef cattle production system and to characterize marketing system of the current smallholder cattle fattening practices. The study was conducted using questionnaire-based survey by interviewing a total of 120 household heads involved in cattle fattening practices selected by a systematic random sampling method from seven rural kebelles in the mid altitude and two kebelles in Low altitude agro-ecologies of Jabitehnan district in Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia. Moreover, focus group discussions, field observations and Rapid Market Appraisal (RMA) techniques have been carried out. Descriptive statistics, one way ANOVA and DMRT for comparison of means were carried out using SPSS version 16 software and Chi-square (c2) test was employed to test the association of different qualitative categorical variables. The basal feeds were fresh cut green forage including improved forage and weeds took higher proportion (63.3%), followed by maize stover and stubble grazing (22.4%), pasture grazing (9.7%), and hay (5%). The three types of houses for fattening cattle are separated room in the family house (62%), enclosed barn with simple shade (22.4%) and housed together with humans (15.6%). Sources of fattening cattle were culled oxen due to old age or being unproductive (34.6%), immediate purchase for fattening (55.7%) and both culled oxen and immediate purchase (9.7%). Lack of capital and credit significantly affect (P<0.05) the practice in the mid altitude than in the low altitude. Average price of cattle before and after fattening were about 2297 and 3670 birr, respectively, which resulted in gross profit of about 1359 birr per fattened cattle that came from price margin and feed margin over 97 days of feeding period. It can be concluded that even though the cattle fattening practices carried out by smallholders are more of traditional; it could be one potential strategy to improve the income of smallholders if the present existing constraints could be avoided.

Key words:Agro-ecology, production system, cattle fattening, feed resources, marketing system

114-124

NASSER S. AL-GHUMAIZ*
Department of Plant Production and Protection,
College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine,
Qassim University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
*(e-mail : ngmiez@qu.edu.sa)
(Received : 17 July 2020; Accepted : 10 September, 2020)

SUMMARY

There are a limited number of cultivated forage species in Saudi Arabia. The most common forage species is alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Therefore, hay production in the country is reliant on alfalfa and a few grass species. However, there is a tendency to standardize the productivity of this crop in the Kingdom due to its high water requirements. Large quantities of barley seed (Hordeum vulgare) are imported annually at exorbitant prices to meet the increasing demand for animal products. In addition, each of the important forage crops that are characterized by low water requirements compared to alfalfa, clover, and with its tolerance to heat and salinity, and high-energy content (carbohydrates). Thus, it is crucial to introduce other forage sources such as using silage to bridge the deficit in local forage crop resources. Silage is not commonly utilized as a source of animal feed among animal producers in Saudi Arabia, due to the lack of interest among animal producers. Thus, the aim of this review is to present information about the silage industry and the possibility of making silage from date palm residues as an alternative source of animal feed in Saudi Arabia.

Key words:Saudi Arabia, forage production, animal Feed, silage Preparation, date palm residues

125-131

INDRANI CHAKRABORTHY, PUMMY KUMARI*, S. K. PAHUJA, J. TOKAS AND VINOD KUMAR
Forage Section, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding,
CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125004 (Haryana), India
Department of Biochemistry, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125004 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail : pummy.hau@gmail.com)
(Received : 14 August 2020; Accepted : 11 September 2020)

SUMMARY

Combining ability is widely adopted and handy tool for comparing performances of parental lines in hybrid combinations in plant breeding experiments. It helps in understanding the nature of gene action for yield and its related traits. The present study was conducted to study the combining ability effects and estimation of economic heterosis for morpho-physiological traits related to fodder production, quality traits and anti-nutritional factors in sorghum which had a deep impact on fodder quality and in turn animal health. The material for the present investigation comprised of twenty-five hybrids developed using ten parents in line × testers mating design and two standard checks (SSG 59-3 and CSH 24MF). Observations were recorded for twelve morphological, four quality and 2 anti-nutritional parameters. Economic heterosis was estimated for all the characters. Six hybrids 31A × SSG 59-3 (139.1%), 126A × IS 2205 (131.15%), 14A × SSG 59-3 (109.24%), 94031A × SSG 59-3 (108.52%), 126A × HJ 541 (98.64%) and 14A × IS 2205 (76.09%) exhibited high significant positive economic heterosis for Green fodder yield in 1^st cut. Female parent 14A was the best combiner for leaf length, GFY and DFY in 1^st cut, protein content and HCN content. Whereas, the male parent 94031A was the best combiner for stem diameter, leaf: stem ratio, GFY and DFY in 2^nd cut, phenol content and IVDMD. The IS 18551 was the best combiner for leaf length and HCN content. The correlation analysis revealed that GFY 1^st cut had significant positive correlation with PH, DFY 1^stcut at both genotypic and phenotypic level; and had significant negative correlation with stem diameter and IVDMD at both genotypic level and phenotypic level, respectively.

Key words:Combining ability, forage sorghum, heterosis, forage quality, sorghum hybrids

132-140

PRIYANKA. S. PATEL, N. B. PATEL, R. A. GAMI*, K. G. KUGASHIYA AND P. R. PATEL
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, CPCA, S.D. Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar (Gujarat), India
Sorghum Research Station, S. D. Agricultural University, Deesa-385 535 (Gujarat), India
Department of Seed technology, S. D. Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar (Gujarat), India
Pulses Research Station, S. D. Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar (Gujarat), India
*(e-mail : ramangami@gmail.com)
(Received : 6 September 2020; Accepted : 25 September 2020)

SUMMARY

The present investigation carried out to study per se performance and magnitude of heterosis in sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]. The per se performance of parents revealed that the parent CSV 21F was top ranking for green fodder yield per plant and dry fodder yield per plant. The parent GFS 4 was found better for days to flowering, days to maturity, stem girth and protein content. The per se performance indicated that F1 hybrids GFS 4 × UTFS 91, PSVGS 313 × UTFS 91 and CSV 21F × GFS 4 recorded maximum green fodder yield per plant and dry fodder yield per plant among studied genotypes. The analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences due to genotypes for all the traits investigation which explained sufficient amount of heterosis was reflected in crosses for many of the fodder and grain yield attributing traits. Heterosis studies showed that plant height (cm), number of leaves per plant, stem girth (cm), leaf length (cm), leaf width (cm), leaf: stem ratio, green fodder yield per plant (g), and dry fodder yield per plant (g) were important forage yield components. A comparative study of best heterotic hybrid, GFS4 × UTFS 91 and PSVGS 313 × UTFS 91 for green fodder yield per plant and dry fodder yield per plant manifested significant positive heterosis over both better parent and standard check. These hybrids also exhibited significant and positive heterosis over better parent or combination of a standard check for various component traits viz., leaf width, leaf: stem ratio, dry fodder yield per plant, protein content and Brix value.

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

141-147

SU MON THANT*, PUMMY KUMARI, ARPIT GUAR AND S. K. PAHUJA
Department of Agriculture Research, Yezin, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding,
CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail : sumonthantdarrice@gmail.com)
(Received : 25 August 2020; Accepted : 27 September 2020)

SUMMARY

The present investigation was carried out to assess genetic diversity in 30 sorghum genotypes based on nineteen agro-morphological and biochemical parameters during kharif2019. Analysis of variance showed highly significant variations for 19 quantitative parameters in the study. Further the genetic diversity was assessed with the help of D² statistics and the genotypes under study were clustered into five distinct clusters. Among those clusters, Cluster-IV was the largest followed by Cluster-I and Cluster-III, each having 8, 7 and 6 genotypes, respectively. The maximum inter-cluster distance found between clusters IV and V (506.77) followed by distance between cluster III and IV (395.29). Genotypes mainly HJ 541, S 713, HJ 513, CSV 21F in these clusters are most suitable for their use as parents for development of dual purpose type genotypes in hybridization based breeding programme.

Key words:Genetic diversity, sorghum, dual types and cluster

148-151

VIKAS C. TYAGI*, N. DIKSHIT, D. R. PANI, B. C. MARNDI AND G. SAHAY
ICAR-Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi-284003(U.P.), India
ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, Regional Station, Cuttack-753006 (Odisha), India
ICAR-National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack-753006 (Odisha), India
*(e-mail : tyagiv54@yahoo.in)
(Received : 30 June 2020; Accepted : 21 July 2020)

SUMMARY

Systematic exploration and forage germplasm collection was carried out in three districts namely Murshidabad, Nadia and North 24 Parganas of West Bengal region of India during October-November 2019. During the exploration, efforts were made to collect the important grasses and legumes of the region. A total of 37 samples of forage importance belonging to 21 species of 17 genera viz. Avena sativa (1 acc.), Bajra napier hybrid (2 acc.), Brachiaria brizantha (1 acc.), Brachiaria mutica (1 acc.), Cenchrus ciliaris (1 acc.), Chlorisbarbata (4 acc.), Chrysopogon zizanioides (1 acc.), Clitoria ternatea (1 acc.), Coixlacryma-jobi (4 acc.), Digitaria ciliaris (1 acc.), Echinochloa colona (1 acc.), Echinochloa spp. (1 acc.), Eleusine indica (4 acc.), Lablab purpureus (1 acc.), Oplismenus burmannii (1 acc.), Panicum maximum (2 acc.), Pennisetum pedicellatum (2 acc.), Setaria sphacelata (1 acc.), Setaria verticillata (3 acc.), Sorghum bicolor (2 acc.), Sorghum halepense (1 acc.) and Themeda quadrivalvis (1 acc.) were collected. Passport characteristics of forage diversity collected including discussions on fodder availability, deficit and future scope of increasing fodder areas in the state of West Bengal were highlighted in the paper.

Key words:Distribution, diversity, forage genetic resources

152-156

RAJAN KATOCH* AND ANKUR TRIPATHI
Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Crop Improvement
CSKHPKV, Palampur-176062 (Himachal Pradesh), India
*(e-mail : rajankatoch@yahoo.com)
(Received : 28 June 2020; Accepted : 10 September 2020)

SUMMARY

The effect of different chemical treatments on nutritional quality and digestibility of wheat straw, rice straw, Sorghum sudan grass (SSG) and Guria grass (Chrysopogon fulvus) was investigated. The treatment with sodium chloride (2.00%), aqueous ammonia (10.00%), urea (4.50%) and dilute acid (1.50%) significantly improved the CP content of wheat straw (148.57%), rice straw (66.06%), sorghum sudan grass (SSG) (17.27%) and (30.24%), respectively. Alkali treatments [NaOH (2%) and Ca(OH)2 (0.4g/gm of sample)] were effective in reducing fiber and hemicellulose contents in wheat and rice straws while aqueous ammonia treatment was effective for treatment of SSG and Guria grass. Acid hydrolysis resulted delignification of feeds to the extent of 37.50%. Treatment of rice straw and SSG with sodium chloride resulted 21.62% and 57.58% increase in ash content, respectively. Highest increase in ash content of wheat straw (82.61%) and Guria grass hay (18.30%) was observed with dilute acid and calcium hydroxide treatments, respectively. Alkali treatments resulted significant reduction in phenolic content of straw and hay. The chemical treatments were effective in improving digestibility of fibrous feeds. The results of the study revealed that acid hydrolysis, sodium chloride, sodium hydroxide and aqueous ammonia, treatments had significant effect on improvement in nutritional composition and digestibility of wheat straw, rice straw, SSG and Guria grass hay, respectively.

Key words:Chemical treatments, digestibility, nutritive quality, delignification

157-162

MANKARAN SINGH SIDHU, G. D. SHARMA, NAVEEN KUMAR, ARVIND Department of Agronomy, Forages & Grassland Management, CSK HPKV,
Palampur-176062, (H. P.), India
Department of Soil Science, CSK HPKV,
Palampur-176062, (H. P.), India
*(e-mail : chahal.arvind92@gmail.com)
(Received : 13 July 2020; Accepted : 25 August 2020)

SUMMARY

A field experiment was conducted at research farm of Department of Agronomy, Forages and Grassland Management, CSK HPKV, Palampur during Rabi 2015-16 to assess the effect of date of sowing and nitrogen fertilization on herbage yield and nutritive value of annual rye grass. The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design with three replications, consisting of fifteen treatment combinations. Annual ryegrass produced significantly highest total green (662.52 q/ha) and dry (136.37 q/ha) forage yields with the application of 160 kg N/haunder sowing time of 2^nd fortnight of October. Early sowing in 2^nd fortnight of October as well as application of 160 kg N/ha resulted in significantly higher CPC and CPY. Also, the significantly minimum NDF content (41.76%) was recorded with the application of 160 kg N/ha. The higher values of NPK content and uptake were recorded under sowing time of 2^nd fortnight of October as well as application of 160 kg N/ha. Soil properties did not affected significantly at the end of experiment except soil available nitrogen, which increased with increasing levels of nitrogen levels up to 120 kg N/ha.

Key words:Annual ryegrass, forage yield, N levels, crude protein, ADF, NDF

163-167

DIGVIJAY SINGH*, ALKA CHOUDHARY AND VINOD UIKEY
Animal Nutrition Group
National Dairy Development Board
Anand-338 001 (Gujarat), India
*(e-mail : dsingh@nddb.coop)
(Received : 28 July 2020; Accepted : 18 August 2020)

SUMMARY

The present investigation was carried out in the Fodder Demonstration Unit of NDDB, Anand (Gujarat) during winter season (Rabi) in 2016-17 and 2017-18. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design (RBD) with three replications consisting of 10 berseem varieties (9 notified and 1 exotic). In pooled analysis of two years data, notified varieties HB-2 and BL-42 statistically at par with each other recorded significantly higher green fodder and dry matter yield of 55.91 t/ha and 10.73 t/ha, respectively over exotic Egyptian variety Miskawi. In berseem varieties mean green fodder, dry matter and crude protein yields ranged between 40.46-55.91, 8.70-10.71 and 1.35-1.82 t/ha, respectively. Significantly lower crude protein content (%) was observed in exotic variety Miskawi (15.92) as compared to notified varieties HB-2 (17.93) and JB-5 (17.65). Dry matter and crude fibre content (%) were recorded higher in BB-2 (21.73) and BL-1 (23.30), respectively. Exotic Miskawi variety recorded highest crude fat content (2.15 %). Higher N and Ca content (%) were recorded in HB-2 (2.87) and JB-5 (1.53) varieties, respectively. Except for Cu, notified berseem varieties were found to have significantly higher macro & micro-nutrients content (N, Ca, Zn, Fe and Mn) in comparison to Miskawi. Mean N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S content (%) among berseem varieties ranged between 2.87-2.53, 0.32-0.34, 1.23-1.63, 1.24-1.53, 0.42-0.47 and 0.24-0.29, respectively. On the basis of pooled data, notified berseem varieties (HB-2, JB-5 and BL-42) were found to be superior over Egyptian variety Miskawi for green fodder & dry matter yields, quality and nutrients content.

Key words:Berseem, fodder yield, dry matter, varieties, proximate, minerals, nutrient uptake

168-175

B. RAJESH KUMAR*
Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University
Veterinary University Training and Research Centre,
District Collectorate Campus Sathuvachari, Vellore-623009, Tamil Nadu
*(e-mail : drrajeshvet2008@gmail.com)
(Received : 12 August 2020; Accepted : 10 September 2020)

SUMMARY

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of inorganic fertilizer and the combined effect of farmyard manure (organic) with inorganic fertilizer on the Plant Organic Carbon, Green Fodder Yield (GFY), Dry Matter Yield (DMY) and Carbon Assimilation Potential (CAP) in Fodder cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) crop field in North Eastern and Western Zones of Tamil Nadu, India during summer season of 2012. For the study, in Western zone two districts viz., Coimbatore and Erode and in North Eastern Zone Tiruvannamalai and Vellore districts were selected for the field experiments. From the selected district, two villages were selected (2 village/ district) for field experiments totaling to eight experimental sites for the study. The Plant organic carbon on 60th day ranged from 42.52 to 44.53% for T₁ (RDF) and 43.08 to 44.96% for T₂ (RD of organic and inorganic fertilizer) for all the villages. The GFY for T₁ and T₂ on 60^th day ranged between 16.72 to 18.31 t/ha and 17.04 to 18.99 t/ha, respectively in all villages. On the other hand, Dry Matter Yield for T1 and T2 on 60th day varied between 2.44 to 2.68 t/ha and 2.49 to 2.71 t/ha for all villages. Carbon Assimilation Potential for T₁, T₂ on 60^th day varied between 1.04 to 1.19 t/ha and 1.07 to 1.25 t/ha for the villages under study. This study recommended the use of farmyard manure along with inorganic fertilizer as the best option for increased plant organic carbon, biomass yield which also had positive effect on carbon assimilation potential.

Key words:Green fodder, dry matter, FYM, fodder cowpea, inorganic fertilizer, carbon assimilation potential

176-181

S. H. PATHAN*, S. V. DAMAME AND B. T. SINARE
Department of Agronomy,
Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri-413 722 (Maharashtra), India
*(e-mail : pathansarfraj85@gmail.com)
(Received : 20 August 2020; Accepted : 7 September 2020)

SUMMARY

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of different cutting management schedules on growth, yield, quality and economics of dual purpose oat, barley and wheat during 2012-13 to 2014-15. The three year pooled data under cutting management revealed significantly higher green forage (54.3 t/ha), dry matter (9.15 t/ha), crude protein (0.93 t/ha), straw yield (10.02 t/ha) and green forage equivalent yield (78.31 t/ha) of oat,respectively. For dual purpose, oat variety RO-19 recorded significantly higher net monetary returns (Rs. 36033/ha) with B:C ratio (2.35) than rest of the crops. Whereas, seed yield (2.48 t/ha) was recorded significantly higher in the wheat crop. As regards to the cutting management, cutting at 70 days after sowing for fodder recorded significantly higher green forage, dry matter and crude protein yield (39.03, 7.12, 0.77 t/ha, respectively) than rest of the cutting managements. The seed and straw yield (2.48 and 9.40 t/ha) was recorded significantly higher in the no cutting for fodder and left for seed only on pooled mean basis; while, cutting at 50 DAS and left crop for seed recorded significantly higher green forage equivalent yield (79.45 t/ha), gross monetary returns (Rs. 63561/ha) and net monetary returns (Rs. 36128/ha) with B:C ratio (2.31). The pH, EC and organic carbon after harvest of crop remained unaffected. The differences are non-significant on pooled mean basis. The available N after harvest was recorded significantly higher i.e. 183.46 kg/ha in Barley crop. The soil available phosphorus (20.62 kg/ha) was recorded in wheat crop. While, available potash remained non-significant on pooled mean basis. As regards cutting management, no cutting for fodder and left for seed recorded significantly higher soil available N after harvest (173.46 kg/ha). The soil available phosphorus (20.78 kg/ha) was recorded at cutting at 70 DAS after sowing and left the crop for seed. The soil available potash remained unchanged due to cutting management on pooled mean basis.

Key words:Green forage yield, seed yield, dual purpose crops, cutting management,crude protein,economics

182-186

S. V. DAMAME*, H. P. PARDESHI AND A. B. TAMBE
AICRP on Forage Crops and Utilization
Mahatma PhuleKrishiVidyapeeth, Rahuri-413722 (Maharashtra), India
*(e-mail:shivajidamame@gmail.com)
(Received : 11 August 2020; Accepted : 20 September 2020)

SUMMARY

A field experiment was carried out at AICRP on Forage Crops & Utilization, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, Dist. Ahmednagar (Maharashtra) during Rabi, 2016-2019. Silica was applied in soil to high yielding but lodging susceptible oat cultivar Phule Harita (RO-19) to maximize seed yield. The main plot treatments were application silica @ 0, 200, 300 and 400 kg/ha and sub plot treatments of cutting managements i.e. No cutting, cutting at 45 and 55 days after sowing. The forage quality parameters such as crude protein, acid detergent fibre, neutral detergent fibre, lignin, silica, digestibility dry matter yield and yield characters, straw and seed yield were increased with elevated levels of silica application. Whereas, in vitro dry matter digestibility and lodging per cent were decreased with increased level of Si application. The application of silicon dioxide @ 300 kg/ha and cutting at 45 DAS was recorded significantly superior digestibility dry matter yield with minimal lodging by enhancing lignin content of oat for higher seed production.

Key words:Forage oat, silica, cutting management, forage quality

187-190

Y. JINDAL* AND SATPAL
Department of Genetics & Plant Breeding
CCS Haryana Agricultural University,
Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail : yjindalhau@gmail.com)
(Received : 12 September 2020; Accepted 28 September 2020)

SUMMARY

A varietal evaluation trial on perennial Cenchrus ciliaris (Buffel grass) was conducted at 13 locations under three different agro-ecological zones viz. North-western (NW), Central (CZ) and South (SZ) zones of India from 2016-17 to 2018-19. Six genotypes of Cenchrus ciliaris were evaluated along with three national checks viz. CAZRI 75, IGFRI 3108 and IGFRI 727 for assessing their fodder yield potential and quality parameters at CCS HAU, Hisar. The same set of entries was also tested at thirteen different locations distributed in the three zones for fodder trial. The highest green fodder yield pooled over three years (1317.2 q/ha) was recorded at Coimbatore in south zone followed by Urulikanchan (437.3 q/ha) in the central zone and in Hisar, Haryana (388.2 q/ha) whereas, the highest pooled dry matter yield (233.8 q/ha) was recorded at Coimbatore in south zone followed by Urulikanchan (195.8 q/ha) and Hisar (91.1 q/ha) in the central zone. Highest per day productivity of green fodder pooled over three years was recorded at Hisar, Ludhiana and Jhansi (GFY (q/ha/day – 4.03, 3.27 and 3.0, respectively) in different zones. The national check CAZRI 75 gave highest green fodder yield (543.5 q/ha) and the genotype IG-67-365 gave highest dry fodder yield (400.8 q/ha) pooled over three years. The highest crude protein yield pooled over three years was obtained at Urulikanchan (12.1 q/ha) followed by Anand (7.2 q/ha) and Hisar (5.3 q/ha). Top two genotypes that gave the best crude protein yield are IG-67-365 (6.0 q/ha) and the best check CAZRI 75 (5.5 q/ha) pooled over three years. Cenchrus ciliaris genotype RCCB-03-23 gave In vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD%) pooled over three years (53.9%) which is almost at a par with the best check IGFRI 3108 (53.7%). At Hisar, the Cenchrus ciliaris genotype RCCB-04-3 gave Neutral Detergent Fiber (66.8%) as compared to the best check IGFRI 3108 (69.1%). The genotype RCCB-03-23 gave Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF%) (42.5%) as compared to the best check IGFRI 3108 (43.5%). A close look at the data reveals that Southern zone gave higher green fodder and dry matter yields, plant height and production efficiency thereby indicating that climatic and edaphic conditions are very suitable for Cenchrus ciliarisas compared to Central Zone and North West Zone.

Key words:Cenchrus ciliaris, buffel grass, green fodder, dry matter, quality parameters

191-197

K. N. MANOJ*, B. G. SHEKARA, K. N.KALYANA MURTHY AND MUDALAGIRIYAPPA
Department of Agronomy, UAS, GKVK, Bengaluru (Karnataka), India
AICRP on Forage Crops, ZARS, V.C. Farm, Mandya (Karnataka), India
AICRP on Dryland Agriculture, GKVK, Bengaluru (Karnataka), India
*(e-mail : manojrajagri@gmail.com)
(Received : 15 September 2020; Accepted : 30 September 2020)

SUMMARY

Quality green fodder production throughout the year is the major drive for increasing the livestock productivity in the country. In this regard, a filed investigation was conducted at Zonal Agricultural Research Station, Vishweshwaraiah Canal Farm, Mandya, Karnataka during 2018-19 and 2019-20 to identify the suitable cropping system for year round quality green fodder production under irrigated condition. The experiment was conducted with fifteen different cropping systems involving both annual and perennial cereal and legume fodder crops in randomized complete block design and replicated thrice. The pooled data revealed that, the perennial B×N hybrid + Lucerne system at 2:8 proportion recorded higher green fodder yield (1636q/ha/year), dry matter yield (321q/ha/year), crude protein yield (60.2 q/ha/year), gross returns (Rs. 3,02,440/ha/year), net returns (Rs. 2,14,232/ha/year) and benefit cost ratio (3.4) followed by B×N hybrid + Cowpea (2:8) and B×N hybrid + Sesbania (2:8) perennial systems and proved as viable systems for obtaining higher quality fodder.

Key words:Cropping systems, green fodder, crude protein, Bajra Napier hybrid, Lucerne

198-201