RESPONSE OF GUINEA GRASS (PANICUM MAXIMUM JACQ.) TO NITROGEN, FARM YARD MANURE AND HARVEST INTERVALS
S. N. RAM* AND B. K. TRIVEDI
Grassland and Silvopasture Management Division
Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute,
Jhansi-284 003 (Uttar Pradesh), India
*(e-mail : ramshivnath@yahoo.com)
(Received : 18 March, 2013, Accepted : 30 April, 2013)
SUMMARY
A field experiment was conducted during 2007-10 on sandy loam soil at Central Research Farm of Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi to study the effect of nitrogen, farm yard manure and cutting intervals on growth, forage productivity and quality of Guinea grass (Panicum maximum Jacq.) under semi-arid rainfed conditions. Harvesting of Guinea grass at 60 days interval along with application of 80 kg N/ha in combination with 10 t FYM/ha recorded maximum dry forage yield (6.31, 11.59 and 8.17 t/ha) which was significantly higher as compared to 40 and 60 days harvest intervals + lower levels of fertility treatments. Dry forage yield of Guinea grass recorded during 1st, second and third years were 4.25, 8.61 and 5.22 t/ha, respectively. Harvesting at 40 days interval recorded significantly higher crude protein content in Guinea grass than 60 days harvest interval.
Key words :Guinea grass, nitrogen, manure, productivity, quality, rainfed