Performance of bajra napier hybrid under varying levels and frequency of MgSO4 nutrition in humid tropics

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at AICRP on Forage Crops and Utilization, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, to assess the influence of varying levels and frequency of MgSO4 application on the performance of bajra napier hybrid during the period October 2020-September 2021. The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design (FRBD) with nine treatments and a control replicated thrice. The treatment combinations included three levels of magnesium [m1: 80 kg ha-1, m2: 100 kg ha-1 and m3: 120 kg ha-1] and three frequencies of application [f1: Split application once in 6 months, f2: Split application once in 4 months and f3: Split application once in 3 months] and a control treatment. Considering the performance of bajra napier hybrid, varying levels and frequencies of MgSO4 application had a significant influence on the growth, yield, biochemical and quality attributes as well as the soil nutrient status after the conduct of the experiment and economics of cultivation. Interaction effect of the treatment combinations revealed higher tiller count (27.07), leaf: stem ratio (1.99), green fodder yield (GFY) (1891.30 q ha-1), dry fodder yield (DFY) (473.00 q ha-1), crude protein content (10.06 %) and benefit-cost ratio (2.11) with split application of 100 kg ha-1 MgSO4 once in 6 months.