Influence of dates of sowing, cultivars and different fertility levels on fodder oat (Avena sativa L.) under temperate conditions of Kashmir valley (India)

Abstract

A study was conducted at Kashmir valley during Rabi 2009-10 and 2010-11 to study the influence of dates of sowing, varieties and fertility levels on the yield and quality of forage oat. In split plot design, treatments included the combination of two dates of sowing and three varieties assigned to main plots and four fertility levels assigned to sub-plots with three replications. The results revealed that early date of sowing (5th October) recorded significantly higher values in growth attributes like plant height, tillers per metre row green fodder yield. The crude protein and crude fibre content was significantly higher with delayed sowing (5th November). Among varieties, Sabzar registered higher plant height than SKO-20 and SKO-108. SKO-108 showed significant superiority in tillers per metre row and green fodder yield. SKO-108 recorded highest green fodder yield during both years of investigation. Growth yield and quality parameters were significantly influenced with increasing levels of fertility being maximum with F4 (200+100+45 kg ha-1, N, P2 O5 , and K2 O).