Productivity and economical viability of grass-based cropping systems

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur during 2018-2019 to 2019-2020 with eight grass-based cropping systems to assess the fodder productivity and their economic viability. The highest green and dry fodder yields of 160.8 and 40.2 t ha^-1 were recorded with sole pearl millet napier hybrid. Maximum pearl millet napier hybrid green fodder equivalent yield of 164.7 t ha^-1 , system productivity of 451.2 kg ha^-1 day^-1, gross return of Rs. 247000 ha^-1, net return of Rs. 163245 ha^-1, monetary return use efficiency Rs 447.2 ha^-1day^-1 and B: C ratio of 3.0 were recorded with paired planting of pearl millet napier hybrid + Desmanthus when compared to other grass based combinations or systems.