RUKOO CHAWLA, ATMAN POONIA,* AND SURESH KUMAR
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, MPUAT, Udaipur, India
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, 3Department of Agronomy,
CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, (Haryana) India-125004
*(e-mail : atmanpoonia@gmail.com)
(Received : 25 November 2021; Accepted : 15 February 2022)

SUMMARY

Oat is a dual-purpose Rabi cereal that emerged as a valuable crop because of its utilization as quality fodder for livestock. The multi-cut nature of oat crop with high regeneration capacity, fast-growing plant habit, palatable, succulent and nutritious fodder make it more suitable for livestock sustainability. In recent years, the grain component of oat gained accelerative attention due to its growing popularity as healthy food and ultimately in the food industry. The potential nutritional characteristics, health promoting and therapeutics benefits offered by oat grains make it “super-grain” as it contains all the principle nutritional components including carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and soluble fibre. The expansion of cultivated area under forage crops is not possible due to pressure of more remunerative and commercial crops like rice, wheat and barley. Therefore, the alternative way to meet the demand for quality fodder is through increasing productivity. Earlier oat was grown by farmers solely as fodder crop but more focus is to tailor dual-purpose (forage-cum-grain) oat genotypes adaptable under changing climatic conditions. The dual-purpose oat presents extra advantage of the nutritional value of the crop for human consumption as well as burgeoning livestock production.

Key words: Beta-glucan, dual-purpose, forage, oat, sustainability

383-389

GANESH KUMAR KOLI, HARSH CHAURASIA, R. K. ARYA* AND IBRAHIM HASSANI
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding,
Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125004, India
Agricultural Research Institute of Afghanistan (ARIA), Badam-Bagh, Kabul (Afghanistan)
*(e-mail : rakarayogi@gmail.com)
(Received : 25 Jaunary 2022; Accepted : 24 March 2022)

SUMMARY

Faba bean (Vicia faba) is a winter season legume crop. The seeds of faba bean are known as a good source of protein (29.4%), carbohydrate (51 – 68%) and fat (1.5%). In 100 g of edible portion, it contains 7.2 g carbohydrate, 4.5 g protein, 0.1 g fat, 0.08 mg thiamine, 12.0 mg ascorbic acid, 50mg calcium and 1.4mg iron. Faba bean have many medicinal values as it is used as ingredients and applications to soften stiff limbs. The seeds of faba bean are good source of L-DOPA, a precursor dopamine, which is used as a medicine for the treatments of Parkinson’s disease. It also has antioxidant activities. As we know that variability is perquisite for any crop improvement programme. If in any crop, sufficient genetic variability is present, help in further improvement as well as development of superior cultivars. Genetic variability and genetic diversence is the primary consideration of many investigators. This study has paramount role in breeding for wide adaptation. It helps in selection of desirable parents for an efficient hybridization program. Further, the knowledge of inter-relationships among different characters is helpful because the selection of one trait may directly affect the performance of another, which is determining the components of complex characters like yield. Therefore, keeping the importance of these studies in faba bean, this effort is made to collect the available information from the different sources for further utilization for researchers’ working in this field.

Key words: Faba bean, Vicia faba, genetic variability, divergence, character association

390-398

DEEPAK KUMAR, VINOD KUMAR*, S. S. MANN AND RUBAL KAMBOJ
Department of Nematology,
CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail : vinodnagal09@gmail.com)
(Received : 12 February 2022; Accepted : 23 March 2022)

SUMMARY

Forage crops can be defined as those plants which are directly or indirectly consumed by animals while fodders are those plant species which are generally fed to the animals as fresh and storage products viz., hay and silage. The cultivation of forage and fodder crops subjected to various biotic and abiotic constraints. Among the biotic constraints, various insect pests and diseases including plant parasitic nematodes are major limiting factor for cultivation of forage and fodder crops. Several nematodes are responsible for causing serious damage to these crops. However, Meloidogyne spp. has become most important pest and is a serious problem in major forage producing countries of the world. Management of the potential economic damage caused by these tiny organisms to forage crops is generally accomplished by a combination of various factors i.e. host resistance, cultural practices, bio-control agents and to a lesser extent chemical control. The selection of a highly resistant variety is the first line of defense in combating nematodes. Cultural practices can be very effective in preventing the initial spread of the nematodes into new production fields and help in minimizing the damage in established forage crops. Keeping this in mind, the present article is focused on nematodes problems of forage and fodder crops along with their management.

Key words: Cultural practices, forage and fodder crops, Meloidogyne spp., plant parasitic nematodes, Management

408-415

RAJ KUMAR, UMA DEVI, PREETAM KUMAR, CHARAN SINGH, SATPAL, SATENDER KUMAR* AND DALVINDER PAL SINGH
Department of Agronomy, 2Department of Soil Science,
Forage Section, Department of Genetics & Plant Breeding
CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125004 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail : satender2144@hau.ac.in)
(Received : 2 March 2022; Accepted : 22 March 2022)

SUMMARY

Maize (Zea mays L.), due to its higher yield potential among other members of Poaceae family; known as “queen of cereals”. Maize is India’s third most important crop after rice and wheat. Following India’s green revolution, intensive agriculture practices have resulted in a variety of issues, including environmental pollution, decline in soil fertility, productivity and organic matter content. Adding organic source of nutrients is critical for plant and field growth, yield and quality as they are good source of both macro and micro nutrients in available form to the plants; in addition, it improves soil health, microbial count and water holding capacity of soil. In this review, most of research findings reviewed indicates that organic manure application improved sustainable productivity, nutrient content and soil nutrient status. Use of treated sewage water has been found promising in replacing the conventional irrigation water. Keeping these points in view, the literature pertaining to organic manure and treated sewage water use in maize and other crop to obtain higher production and good quality has been reviewed.

Key words: Maize, sewage water, organic manure, quality, production and fertility

399-407

MANISH KUMAR CHOUDHARY, GAYATRI KUMAWAT*, JAI PRAKASH SHAHI, MUNNESH KUMAR, ASHOK SINGHAMSETTI AND GANESH KUMAR KOLI
Genetics and Plant Breeding Department,
Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, (U. P.), India
*(e-mail : kumawatgayatri10@gmail.com)
(Received: 20 December 2021; Accepted: 15 February 2022)

SUMMARY

The screening for water stress of seventy CIMMYT maize genotypes was carried out to estimate the genetic variability parameters, heritability, GAM, correlation and path coefficient analysis at Agriculture Research Farm, Institute of Agriculture Science, BHU, Varanasi. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the genotypes for surface root, anthesis-silking interval, plant height, ear height, number of plants per plot, number of ears per plot, ear length and number of kernels per row. Moderate to higher GCV and PCV coupled with high heritability and high GAM observed for surface root, ear height, number of plants per plot, number of ears per plot, field weight and yield per plant suggested that simple selection can be effective for these traits. Correlation analysis indicated that yield per plant exhibited highest and positive significant correlation with field weight, number of ears per plot, ear diameter, number of kernels per row, ear length, 100-seed weight, number of plants per plot and number of kernel rows per ear. Path coefficient analysis revealed that the highest positive direct effects on yield per plant were exhibited by 100-seed weight followed by field weight, number of kernels per row, ear height, ear length, ear diameter, days to 50% silking, number of ears per plot, number of kernel rows per ear and number of plants per plot. If the selection for water logging tolerant genotype is made for any of these component traits, the improvement in yield per plant could be achieved.

Key words: Maize, genetic variability parameters, correlation, path analysis and water stress

416-422

MOHAMMAD SHAFIQURRAHAMAN, G. S. DAHIYA, S. K. PAHUJA, A. K. DEHINWAL AND R. K. ARYA*
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding,
Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar (Haryana), India
*(e-mail : rakarayogi@gmail.com, rahaman333@gmail.com)
(Received : 20 February 2022; Accepted : 12 March 2022)

SUMMARY

The experimental material for the DUS characterization was consisted of 150 sorghum germplasm lines. Based on the variation observed in this character, seedling anthocynin coloration it was distinguished into two categories namely, yellow green (65 genotypes) and grayed purple (85 genotypes). At 5th leaf stage genotypes were characterized on the basis of two characters, leaf sheath anthocyanin colouration and leaf midrib colour. On the basis of leaf sheath anthocyanin colouration, the genotypes were categorized into two categories: yellow green (65 genotypes) and grayed purple (85 genotypes). On the basis of leaf midrib colour, the genotypes were categorized into two groups: white (49 genotypes) and yellow green (101 genotypes).On the basis of panicle emergence (50% of plants with 50% flowering), the genotypes were grouped into five categories viz., very early (13 genotypes), early (16 genotypes), medium (56 genotypes), late (47 genotypes) and very late (18 genotypes) for time of panicle emergence. On the basis of lemma arista formation, the genotypes are broadly into two categories: lemma arista present (63 genotypes) and absent (87 genotypes). Based on flower with pedicel length of flower, the genotypes were divided into five categories viz., very short (4 genotypes), short (12 genotypes), medium (53 genotypes), long (71 genotypes) and very long (10 genotypes. Based on anther length, the genotypes were divided into two categories viz., short (125 genotypes) and medium (25 genotypes). On the basis of glume colour, the genotypes were categorized into six groups viz., green white (22 genotypes), yellow white (40 genotypes), grayed yellow (18 genotypes), grayed orange (44 genotypes), grayed red (20 genotypes), grayed purple (6 genotypes). On the basis of panicle length of branches, the genotypes were categorized into two groups viz., short (141 genotypes) and medium (9 genotypes). On the basis of panicle density at maturity, the genotypes were divided into four categories viz., very loose (17 genotypes), semi loose (29 genotypes), semi compact (62 genotypes) and compact (42 genotypes). On the basis of neck of panicle visible above sheath, the genotypes were grouped into five groups namely, very short (54 genotypes), short (40 genotypes), medium (29 genotypes), long (18 genotypes) and very long (9 genotypes)

Key words: Sorghum, Sorghum bicolor, DUS chracterization, morphological traits

423-431

JYOTI KAUSHIK* AND DEV VART
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding,
Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail : kaushikjyoti786@gmail.com)
(Received : 10 March 2022; Accepted : 24 March 2022)

SUMMARY

Pearl millet is one of the most important dual-purpose crops which is mainly grown for grain and fodder. Pearl millet contains enormous phenotypic diversity, that’s why it is an ideal crop to study diversity. A field experiment was conducted using 60 genotypes of pearl millet during Kharif, 2017 (in one environment) and Kharif, 2018 (in two environments, irrigated and unirrigated) to find out the correlation between yield related traits and yield in different environments. The traits, i.e. panicle length, panicle girth, number of productive tillers/plant, 1000 grain weight, dry fodder yield were found to be significantly correlated with grain yield/plant in all environments. These traits can be considered as an important yield determining traits can be given due attention during population and hybrid development.

Key words: Pearl millet, correlation, yield, yield contributing traits

432-435

PAPPALA SWARAJ PAUL, GANGADHAR NANDA* AND NILANJAYA
Department of Agronomy, PG College of Agriculture, RPCAU, Pusa-818425 (Bihar), India
Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, PG College of Agriculture, RPCAU, Pusa-818425 (Bihar), India
*(e-mail : gnanda@rpcau.ac.in)
(Received : 16 February 2022; Accepted : 24 March 2022)

SUMMARY

A field experiment was carried out at Forage Research Block of Cattle Farm, Animal Production Research Institute, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar during Rabi season, 2020-21 to study the effect of eleven treatments consisting of foliar spray of six different plant growth regulators (PGRs) at different concentrations (triacontanol @ 10 ppm, triacontanol @ 20 ppm, mepiquat chloride @ 200 ppm, mepiquat chloride @ 300 ppm, salicylic acid @ 100 ppm, salicylic acid @ 200 ppm, naphthalene acetic acid @ 20 ppm, fenoxaprop-p-ethyl @ 4 g a.i./ha, gibberellic acid @ 200 ppm, gibberellic acid @ 400 ppm) and a control (spray of water) on growth and yield of single cut fodder oat. The experiment was carried out in a randomised complete block design with three replications. Result indicated that plant height and number of tillers per meter row length at 60 DAS and at harvest and SPAD reading at 60 DAS was higher with application of naphthalene acetic acid @ 20 ppm than other treatments. Similarly, this treatment recorded higher leaf DMA at 60 DAS and at harvest and stem DMA and total DMA at 60 DAS. However, application of mepiquat chloride @ 300 ppm recorded higher stem DMA and total DMA at harvest and produced higher green as well as dry fodder yield than other treatments.

Key words: Plant growth regulators, fodder oat, mepiquat chloride, growth, yield

436-441

NEHA, GAJENDER YADAV*, R. K. YADAV**, ASHWANI KUMAR, A. K. RAI AND JUNYA ONISHI
ICAR–Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal-132001 (Haryana), India
CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125004 (Haryana), India
Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS), Ohwasi, Tshukuba,
Ibaraki, 305-8686, Japan
*(e-mail : gajender.icar@gmail.com; **RK.Yadav@icar.gov.in)
(Received : 07 January 2022; Accepted : 11 February 2022)

SUMMARY

Soil salinity influences the performance of plants and determines their establishment and distribution. Salinity is regarded as one of the major limiting factors to crop production in arid and semi-arid regions worldwide with more than 6% total land area. Low precipitation, irrigation with saline water, a rising water table, and poor irrigation practices generally cause salinity stress. A double spilt plot lysimeter study was conducted with two replications at ICAR-CSSRI, research farm, Karnal to evaluate Cut-soiler simulated Preferential Shallow Sub surface Drainage (PSSD) effectiveness in salt removal and subsequent effect on growth, yield and forage quality of pearl millet. The study comprised of Cut-soiler PSSD as main plot treatment with two soil types i.e. saline sandy loam and heavy texture soil (sub-plot) and three irrigation water (sub-sub plot) salinity levels (4, 8, 12 dS/m). The Cut-soiler PSSD reduced soil salinity by 49.19 %. The plant height, number of leaves and effective tillers, plant density, green fodder yield, dry matter yield and crude protein content increased significantly under Cut-soiler. Cut-soiler constructed PSSD salt removal resulted in better plant growth and biological, green fodder and dry matter yields. The increment in biological yield was 12.64 %. However, subsequent increase in irrigation water salinity from 4.0 to 8.0 and further to 12 dS/m decreased biological yield by 12.72, 12.20 and 11.41 t/ha, respectively and also caused significant variation on fodder quality parameters. Hence, Cut-soiler PSSD proved beneficial to mitigate adverse effect of salt stress by significantly improving growth and fodder yield and quality traits in pearl millet crop.

Key words: Salinity stress, cut-soiler PSSD, fodder quality, pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.)]

442-448

NEELAM*, SURESH KUMAR, SATPAL, JOGENDER KUMAR, UMA DEVI AND V. S. HOODA
Department of Agronomy, Directorate of Research, Forage Section, G&PB, Department of Agricultural Economics, Pulses Section, G&PB, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail : berkesia.neelam@gmail.com)
(Received : 8 January 2022; Accepted : 27 March 2022)

SUMMARY

A field experiment was conducted at the Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, CCS HAU, Hisar (Haryana), India during Rabi, 2018-19. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design in three replicates, keeping cutting management (No cut, cut at 56 DAS, cut at 68 DAS) in main plot and varieties (BH 393, BH 946, RD 2552 and RD 2715) in sub-plot. Highest plant height (64.8 cm and 79.6 cm) and green fodder yield (17.40 t/ha and 23.21 t/ha) were recorded with the variety RD 2552 and RD 2715 at 56 DAS and 68 DAS, respectively. Lowest canopy temperature was also recorded with RD 2715 at both the stages. The results also showed that highest grain and straw yield of 5.05 t/ha and 9.30 t/ha, respectively was produced in no cut treatment. Yield attributes viz. Effective tillers/m2, test weight and no. of grains per ear-head were also found maximum in no cut treatment. Among the varieties, RD 2552 recorded with highest grain and straw yield (3.01 t/ha and 5.80 t/ha). Significantly highest effective tillers/m2 of 318.2 was also found with RD 2552. Canopy temperature was significantly lower in the variety RD 2552, however, maximum value of NDVI and SPAD were recorded in RD 2552 and RD 2715. However, highest no. of grains per earhead was recorded with BH 393(49.3). Highest B:C was observed with the no cut treatment (2.18) and in the variety RD 2552 (1.61). Delay in cutting for green fodder decreased the regenerating capacity and consequently the grain yield of barley for dual purpose. The varieties viz. RD 2552 and RD 2715 out yielded than the BH 393 and BH 946, which are commonly used for feed purpose in north-western plain zone of the country. Although no-cut is more economical but in fodder scarcity conditions, RD 2552 and RD 2715 varieties of barley may be recommended as dual purpose.

Key words: Barley, cutting management, grain and straw yield, NDVI and varieties

449-455

ASHISH PAL, BALWINDER SINGH DHILLON* AND ANIL KHOKHAR
Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Guru Kashi University, Talwandi Sabo-151 302 (Punjab), India
Regional Research Station, Punjab Agricultural University, Ballowal Saunkhri, SBS Nagar- 144 521 (Punjab), India
*(e-mail : dhillonbalwinder@pau.edu)
(Received : 17 December 2021; Accepted : 12 March 2022)

SUMMARY

The field experiment entitled “Performance of fodder maize (Zea mays L.) to different sowing methods and seed rates” was conducted at the Research Farm of University College of Agriculture, Guru Kashi University, Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda (Punjab) to study the effect of different sowing methods and seed rates on growth and fodder yield of maize. The trial was laid out in split plot design with three sowing methods (broadcasting, pora and kera) in main plots and three seed rates (20, 30 and 40 kg/ha) in sub plots, replicated four times. Among different methods of sowing, broadcasting was found to be most effective in maize for achieving higher fodder yield. Broadcasting method recorded higher plant height and dry matter accumulation, whereas, kera method resulted in the higher number of leaves/plant and leaf area index of maize. Broadcasting sowing method (412.8 q/ha) recorded the highest fodder yield, which were significantly higher than pora (382.1 q/ha) and kera (371.2 q/ha) methods of sowing. Fodder yield of pora method was statistically at par with kera method. Broadcasting method recorded 8.03 and 11.2% higher fodder yield than pora and kera, respectively, methods of sowing. Maximum fodder yield was obtained with 40 kg/ha seed rate (401.6 q/ha) which was significantly higher than 20 (376.2 q/ha) and 30 kg/ha (388.3 q/ha) seed rates.

Key words: Fodder yield, leaf area index, maize, seed rate, sowing methods

456-459

JAGAMOHAN NAYAK*, S. K. INTODIA, ARVIND VERMA, HIRAK BANERJEE AND G. S. GURJAR
Department of Agronomy, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur, Nadia-741 252 (W. B.), India
Department of Agronomy, Controller of Examinations, MPUAT, Udaipur-313 001 (Rajasthan), India
Department of Agronomy, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, MPUAT, Udaipur-313 001 (Rajasthan), India
Department of Agronomy, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur, Nadia-741 252 (W. B.), India
Department of Agronomy, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, MPUAT, Udaipur-313 001 (Rajasthan), India
*(e-mail : jaganayak532@gmail.com)
(Received : 5 March 2022; Accepted : 24 March 2022)

SUMMARY

A field investigation was carried out during Kharif 2018, at the Instructional Farm (Agronomy), Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Udaipur to study the nutrient management impacts on grain and stover quality and nutrient uptake of sorghum cultivars under rainfed situation. The experiment comprised of three fertilizer application levels (75, 100 and 125% RDF) and nine genotypes (SPH 1820, SPH 1849, CSH 25, CSH 30, SPV 2433, SPV 2437, SPV 2438, CSV 27 and CSV 31), replicated thrice in a factorial randomized block design. Results revealed that fertilization with 125% RDF improved the protein content, protein yield in grain and stover as well as stover quality over 75% RDF and 100% RDF applications. The N, P2O5 and K2O uptake was higher by 18.14, 14.57 and 12.93 % with application of 125% RDF over 100% RDF respectively. Among the genotypes, SPH 1849 was superior in terms of protein content, grain protein yield and stover quality (acid detergent fibre and neutral detergent fibre) than other genotypes. The genotype CSH 25 recorded higher stover protein yield, along with nitrogen and phosphorus uptakes, whereas largest potassium accumulation in straw was observed in SPV 2438 genotype.

Key words: Sorghum stover, nutrient management, protein content, NDF, ADF, genotype, uptake

460-464

SAGAR, B. M. AND VINOD KUMAR*
Department of Seed Science and Technology
University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad-580005 (Karnataka), India
*(e-mail : vinoddhone@gmail.com)
(Received : 08 March 2022; Accepted : 24 March 2022)

SUMMARY

A field experiment was conducted at vegetables and tuber farm, Dharwad in the year 2017 using factorial RBD to evaluate the influence of three different spacings i.e., 60 cm × 45 cm, 75 cm × 45 cm and 90 cm × 45 cm and three fertilizer levels (100:80:40, 125:100:50 and 150:120:60 kg NPK/ha) on growth, fodder yield and seed yield attributes of velvet bean. The results revealed that, except yield, all the parameters including growth components were non-significantly (P>0.05) influenced from interactions of various levels of spacings and fertilizer levels. However, significantly more pods per plant (29) and seed yield per plant (130.87 g) were recorded at a spacing of 90 cm × 45 cm with 150:120:60 kg NPK per ha. Similarly, significantly higher seed yield (39.66 q/ha), green fodder yield (35.32 t/ha) and dry fodder yield (11.77 t/ha) were recorded in 60 cm × 45 cm spacing with 150:120:60 kg NPK per ha.

Key words: Spacing, fertilizer, Velvet bean, growth, Seed yield

465-469

MEENA SEWHAG*, UMA DEVI, NEELAM, SHWETA, VIRENDER HOODA, NEERAJ KHAROR AND MEHAK NAGORA
Department of Agronomy, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
Department of Biochemistry, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail : meenasewhag@gmail.com)
(Received : 2 February 2022; Accepted : 21 March 2022)

SUMMARY

Zinc and iron both are extensively used to improve the productivity and quality of fodder maize, which ultimately helps in alleviate their deficiency in animals. To find out zinc and iron requirement of fodder maize a field experiment was conducted during spring season of 2020 at Agronomy Research Area of CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar. The soil of the experimental field was sandy loam in texture, neutral in reaction, low in organic carbon and available nitrogen, medium in available phosphorus and high in available potassium. The experiment was laid out in FRBD design with four zinc levels [No ZnSO₄, 20 kg/ha ZnSO₄ (basal dose), 25 kg/ha ZnSO₄ (basal dose) and 25 kg/ha ZnSO₄ (basal dose) + 1% foliar spray at 45 DAS] and four iron sprays at 30 DAS [No FeSO₄, 0.5% foliar spray of FeSO₄, 1% foliar spray of FeSO₄ and 1.5% foliar spray of FeSO₄] and replicated thrice. Results shows that growth parameters and yield of fodder maize in spring season were significantly influenced due to zinc and iron management effects. Growth parameters like no of leaves/plant, leaf length, leaf breadth, plant height and LAI and yield of spring planted fodder maize were recorded highest with application of 25 kg/ha ZnSO₄ (basal dose) + 1% foliar spray of ZnSO₄ at 45 DAS. Similarly foliar spray of 1 % FeSO₄ at 30 DAS recorded better growth parameters and significantly higher yield of fodder maize. Application of 1 % foliar spray of FeSO₄ at 30 DAS recorded significantly higher green and dry fodder yield. However the difference in dry fodder yield with application of 0.5%, 1% and 1.5% foliar spray of FeSO₄ at 30 DAS was not significant. The crude protein content was recorded highest with foliar spray of 1.5% FeSO₄ at 30 DAS. Application of 25 kg/ha ZnSO₄ (basal dose) + 1% foliar spray of ZnSO₄ at 45 DAS in spring planted fodder maize resulted in 36.43 % higher green fodder yield and 36.35 % higher dry matter yield over control. Similarly application of 1% foliar spray of FeSO₄ at 30 DAS resulted in 12.68% higher green fodder yield and 12.70 % higher dry matter yield over control.

Key words: Fodder maize, LAI, crude protein content, Zinc and iron effect

470-475

BHANUPRAKASH N., J. S. YADAV, ANIL KUMAR, SATPAL, AKSHIT, SUSHIL KUMAR* AND SURENDER KUMAR
Department of Agronomy, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
Regional Research Station, Bawal, CCS Haryana Agricultural University
Bajra Section, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, CCS Haryana Agricultural University,
Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
Forage Section, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, CCS Haryana Agricultural University,
Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail : puniasushil22@gmail.com)
(Received : 5 January 2022; Accepted : 15 March 2022)

SUMMARY

The effect of phosphate and zinc fertilization on fodder sorghum growth and growth indicators was investigated in this study. The experiment was set up in a split-plot design with four phosphorus levels in the main plot (T₁– Control, T₂– 7.5 kg P₂O₅ ha^-1, T₃– 15 kg P₂O₅ ha^-1, and T₄– 22.5 kg P₂O₅ ha^-1), and four zinc levels as sub-plot treatments (S₁– Control, S₂– 0.50 percent foliar spray of ZnSO₄ at 20-25 DAS, S₃– 0.75 percent foliar spray of Zn. At all growth phases, 22.5 kg P₂O₅ ha^-1 (P₄) significantly increased the number of leaves and leaf area index as compared to 7.5 kg P₂O₅ ha^-1 (P₂), 15 kg P₂O₅ ha^-1, and control treatments. Among different Zn treatments, the number of leaves and leaf area index was significantly higher with the application of 25 kg ZnSO₄ ha^-1 over foliar application of ZnSO₄ i.e. 0.5 %, 0.75 %, and control, at all growth stages whereas foliar treatments were at par with each other at 40 DAS, 60 DAS and at the cutting stage. With the application of 25 kg ZnSO₄ ha^-1, significantly greater LAI, LAD, CGR, RGR, and NAR were recorded compared to other zinc levels.

Key words: Fodder sorghum, phosphorus, zinc, growth indices, LAI, CGR, NAR

476-479