SOWJANYA JAKKAMPUDI AND SHARU S. R.
College of Agriculture, Kerala Agricultural University,
Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram- 695 522
*(e-mail: sowjanyajakkampudi@gmail.com)
(Received: 15 November 2024; Accepted: 30 December 2024)
SUMMARY
The present investigation entitled “Effect of Spacing and Nutrient Management on yield, plant nutrient uptake and soil nutrient availability in fodder cowpea intercropped in coconut garden” was conducted during Rabi 2022 at Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture Vellayani to standardize the spacing and nutrient requirement for fodder cowpea intercropped in coconut garden. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with two factors, namely spacing (S) [s1– 20 cm × 15 cm, s2– 30 cm × 15 cm, s3– 40 cm × 15 cm and s4– broadcasting)] and nutrient levels (N) [n1-75% POP (18.75: 45: 22.5 kg N: P2O5: K2O/ha), n2 100% POP (25: 60: 30 kg N: P2O5: K2O/ha), n3 125% POP (31.25: 75: 37.5 kg N: P2O5: K2O/ha)] with three replications. The experimental plot was red sandy loam, acidic in reaction, medium in organic carbon, low in available nitrogen, high in available phosphorus and medium in available potassium status. The treatment, s2 recorded the highest, green fodder yield per plant, dry fodder yield per plant, per day productivity and N P K uptake. The treatment n3 resulted in higher, green and dry fodder yield per plant, per day productivity and N P K uptake by plant. The treatment combination, s2n3 recorded the highest per day productivity, N uptake and P uptake.
Key words: Fodder cowpea, nutrient management, green fodder yield per plant, per day productivity and nutrient uptake