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