Yield, quality and soil fertility status as influenced by different nutrient sources in Cumbu Napier hybrid fodder grass

Abstract

To study the impact of different nutrient sources (organics, inorganics INM) on yield and quality of important perennial fodder, Cumbu Napier Hybrid Grass CO (CN) 4 an experiment was carried out. Three year data of the experiment reveals that the basal application of FYM @105 t/ha (N equivalent basis) + 2 kg Azospirillum+2 kg PhosPhobacteria recorded the highest green fodder yield of 360.7 t/ha/y. The crude protein content got increased in the FYM applied treatment. The higher organic carbon content of 1.28% from the initial carbon status of 0.62% recorded in the FYM treatment. The poultry manure (PM) applied plot recorded higher available N content of 185, kg/ ha from the initial soil available N content of 165 kg/ha. The higher available K content of 578 kg/ha was recorded in the same treatment. The higher uptake of N,P,K,Ca,Mg,S,Fe,Mn,Zn and Cu was recorded in the FYM applied plots. The PM applied plot recorded the highest net returns of Rs. 2, 70,000/ha/yr and B: C ratio of 4.3 per ha.