Effect of range legumes intercropping and weed management on weed control and fodder productivity of Guinea grass (Panicum maximum Jacq.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during 2007-2011 on sandy loam soil at Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh to find out the effect of range legumes intercropping and weed management practices on weed control and fodder productivity of Guinea grass (Panicum maximum). Results indicated that intercropping of Stylosanthes seabrana with Guinea grass produced significantly higher total dry forage yield (6.68 t/ha) than Clitoria ternatea (5.41 t/ha) and Macroptillium atropurpureum (5.60 t/ha). In total dry forage yields, per cent contribution of S. hamata, S. seabrana, Macroptillium atropurpureum and C. ternatea were 30.52, 36.23, 23.39 and 20.15, respectively. In weed management practices, hand weeding 35 days after sowing in 1st year and 25 days after onset of monsoon rain from 2nd year onwards recorded significantly higher dry forage yields of both Guinea grass (5.02 t/ha) and legumes (2.00 t/ha) than weedy check, pre-emergence application of pendimethalin and weeding with weeder cum mulcher. Maximum net return (Rs 13733/ha) and net return per rupee invested (Re 1.48) were obtained by intercropping of Guinea grass with S. seabrana. Maximum net return (Rs 12746/ha) was also observed on hand weeding at 35 days after sowing. Intercropping of Guinea grass with S. seabrana and hand weeding showed maximum growth, productivity and monetary return from the system.