Response of Guinea grass (Panicum maximum) to fertility levels and harvest intervals

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during 2006-2010 on sandy loam soil at Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi to find out the response of Guinea grass (Panicum maximum) to fertility levels and harvest intervals under semiarid rainfed conditions. Harvesting of Guinea grass at 60 days interval along with application of 80 kg N/ha in combination with 10 t FYM/ha recorded maximum dry forage yield (6.31, 11.59 and 8.17 t/ha) which were significantly higher as compared to 40 and 60 days harvest intervals + lower levels of fertility treatments. Dry forage yield of Guinea grass recorded during 1st, 2nd and 3rd years were 4.25, 8.61 and 5.22 t/ha, respectively. During second year 102.59 % increase in dry forage yield was recorded as compared to 1st year. During third year, 39.37 % decrease in yield was observed as compared to second year. Application of 80 kg N/ha recorded highest net return (Rs 9913 and 2399/ha) during 2nd and 3rd years respectively.