FODDER PRODUCTION POTENTIAL OF MAIZE GROWN FOR BABY
CORN AND GREEN COB IN DIFFERENT CROPPING SYSTEMS
B. G. SHEKARA, H. C. LOHITHASWA, N. M. CHIKKARUGI AND N. MANASA
AICRP on Forage Crops, Zonal Agricultural Research Station
V. C. Farm, Mandya-571 405, University of Agricultural Sciences,
Bangalore (Karnataka), India
*(e-mail : bgshekara66@gmail.com)
(Received : 14 July 2015; Accepted : 23 September 2015)
SUMMARY
A field experiment was conducted during kharif seasons of 2007, 2008 and 2009 at Zonal Agricultural Research Station, Vishweswaraiah Canal Farm, Mandya (Karnataka) to study fodder production potential of maize grown for different purposes. The experiment was consisted of 10 treatment combinations of different maize-based cropping systems viz., T1-Napier bajra hybrid (round the year)- Lucerne, T2-Baby corn+cowpea (F)+Baby corn+cowpea (F)-Baby corn+cowpea (F), T3-Baby corn+cowpea (F)-Lucerne (F), T4-Baby corn+cowpea (F)-oats (F)- Baby corn+cowpea (F), T5-Baby corn+cowpea (F)- oats (F)-maize (F)+cowpea (F), T6-Green cob+cowpea (F)-Green cob+cowpea (F)-Green cob+cowpea (F), T7-Green cob+cowpea (F)-lucerne (F), T8-Green cob+cowpea (F)-oats (F)-Green cob+cowpea (F), T9- Green cob+cowpea (F)-oats (F)-maize (F)+cowpea (F) and T10-Sunflower cowpea (seed)+maize(F)+cowpea (F). The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design and replicated thrice. The pooled data of three years revealed that Napier Bajra Hybrid+cowpea (kharif)-lucerne (rabi) recorded higher green forage yield (1488.30 q/ha/year), dry matter yield (330.30 q/ha/year) and crude protein yield (30.0 q/ ha) and cultivation of maize for green cob+cowpea (fodder) round the year recorded higher net monetary returns (Rs. 1,58,715/ha/year).
Key words:Baby corn, green cob, green forage yield, dry matter yield, crude protein yield