VITTHAL K. KAUTHALE*, PRAMODKUMAR S. TAKAWALE AND RAHUL V. KALE
BAIF Development Research Foundation, Pune-412 202 (Maharashtra), India
*(e-mail : vitthal.kauthale@baif.org.in)
(Received : 04 September 2023; Accepted : 25 September 2023)
SUMMARY
Lucerne is one of the important legume fodder crop for dairy animal which is more palatable, digestible and have high protein content and commonly grown in central and southern part of India. On other hand the supply of quality seed was not adequate Development of new packages in view of increasing the green biomass productivity is necessary. But looking towards the availability of quality seed is the major constraint. So that the experiment was designed in such way that a farmer can get regular green fodder along with yearly seed production at own farm. A field experiment was conducted at BAIF, Central Research Station, Urulikanchan to study the influence of different sowing methods and cutting management on green fodder and seed yield of Lucerne. The experiment was laid in split plot design with two sowing methods and three cutting management treatments in three replications. Among the two different sowing methods, highest green fodder yield of 695.77q/ha/year was recorded in broadcasting method of sowing whereas in case of cutting management regular cutting for two & half years & leaving for seed production at the end of March month was recorded significantly maximum green fodder yield of 751.05 q/ha/year. The significant maximum seed yield of 1.65 q/ha was recorded by the line sowing method and regular cutting at 25 days intervals and leaving for seed production in the second week of March month every year. The highest net monetary returns of Rs.1,26,683/ha and the benefit-cost ratio of 3.26 was recorded in line sowing among two methods whereas it was Rs. 1,32,540/ha/year and 3.42 benefit cost ratio respectively in regular cutting at 25 days interval and leaving for seed production in the second week of March every year and this treatment combination was found to be more economical in terms of highest net monetary returns and benefit cost ratio.
Key words: Lucerne, Yearly seed production, sowing methods, economics