Intensive forage production through Agati based (Sesbania grandiflora (L.) Pers.) fodder production systems in Kerala

Authors

  • Usha C Thomas College of Agriculture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellayani-695 522, India
  • R.K. Agrawal ICAR- Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi-284003, India
  • M.R. Anita College of Agriculture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellayani-695 522, India
  • P. Mubeena College of Agriculture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellayani-695 522, India

Keywords:

Agati, Bajra napier (BxN) hybrid, Congo signal, Guinea, Intercropping, Setaria

Abstract

The present study was conducted at AICRP on forage crops and utilization, Vellayani, Kerala during June 2016 to 2019 to find out the effect of Agati (Sesbania grandiflora (L.) Pers.) – (Sesbania) based fodder cropping system on forage yield, quality and soil fertility by comparing six different fodder grasses as intercrops with Agati as the main crop, laid out in RBD with three replications. The treatments comprised of Sesbania + Congo signal (Brachiaria ruziziensis Germ. & Evrard ) (2:2), Sesbania + Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana Kunth.)(2:2), Sesbania + Guinea grass (Megathyrsus maximus Jacq.) (2:2), Sesbania + BxN hybrid (Pennisetum purpureum × Pennisetum typhodes) (2:1), Sesbania + Setaria (Setaria anceps (Stapf)) (2:2), Sesbania + perennial fodder sorghum (TNS30 X Sorghum sudanensis) (2:5) and Sesbania sole. The pooled data over three years revealed that Sesbania +Setaria had performed significantly superior with respect to green fodder yield (60.17 tha-1), dry matter yield (15.0 tha-1), net monetary return (Rs. 58592 ha-1) and benefit cost ratio (2.07) compared to other cropping systems. Sesbania + Guinea grass recorded the highest crude protein yield of 2.49 tha-1 and was found to be on par with Sesbania + Rhodes grass and Sesbania + BxN hybrid. Considering intensive forage production system with various Sesbania based cropping system showed that growing Sesbania +Setaria was found to be the most promising system for meeting both farmer needs and environmental services.

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01-06-2022
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How to Cite

Usha C Thomas, R.K. Agrawal, M.R. Anita, & P. Mubeena. (2022). Intensive forage production through Agati based (Sesbania grandiflora (L.) Pers.) fodder production systems in Kerala. Range Management and Agroforestry, 42(2), 307–311. Retrieved from https://publications.rmsi.in/index.php/rma/article/view/570

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