Response of fodder oat (Avena sativa L.) varieties to irrigation and fertilizer gradient

Abstract

An experiment was conducted during 2010-2012 at Jhansi (Uttar Pradesh) to study the performance of fodder oat (Avena sativa L.) varieties under varied irrigation and fertilizer rates. The experiment was consisted of 18 treatment combinations, viz., 2 fodder oat variety (JHO 99-1 and JHO 99-2), 3 irrigation schedules (0.8, 1.0 and 1.2 IW/CPE) and 3 fertilizer levels (75, 100 and 125% of recommended dose of fertilizer-RDF). Result showed that varieties of oat did not differ significantly in relation to growth, yield and water-use efficiency, but JHO 99-2 accumulated higher crude protein than JHO 99-1. The significant response of growth, dry fodder yield and nutrient uptake to irrigation was observed upto 1.0 IW/ CPE and it increased green and dry fodder yields by 11.8 and 7.3%, respectively over 0.8 IW/CPE. Likewise application of 125% of RDF increased green and dry fodder yields by 17.7 and 10.4%, respectively. Water-use efficiency was increased with fertilizer and vice-versa with irrigation intensity. Apparent nutrient (N, P and K) balances were decreased with irrigation and increased with graded fertilizer application except potassium. Nitrogen and potassium apparent balances were negative. The maximum economic returns were obtained when crop was fertilized with 125% of RDF and irrigation scheduled at 1.0 IW/CPE.