Productivity and quality of different rabi fodder crops under kinnow mandarin based hortipasture system

Abstract

A study was conducted for the assessment of productivity and nutritive quality of different rabi fodder crops under kinnow mandarin-based horti-pasture system. Among different rabi fodder crops, higher green fodder yield was produced by berseem followed by ryegrass and lucerne under partial shade of kinnow mandarin orchard. Green fodder yield of berseem was 12.83, 14.50, 37.23 and 79.17% higher as compared to ryegrass, lucerne, oat and mustard, respectively. Due to diversity in genetic makeup, parameters of analysis vary significantly in different rabi fodder crops. Ash content (14.03%), acid insoluble ash content (3.90%), crude fiber content (48.03%) and crude fat content (3.18%) was found highest under berseem, oat, mustard and ryegrass, respectively. Fat content in ryegrass was 2.47, 4.48, 17.67 and 13.25 times higher as compared to mustard, berseem, lucerne and oat, respectively. Crude protein content was highest in lucerne (32.73%) followed by berseem (25.11%). Similarly lucerne was superior fodder crop with respect to N, Zn and Cu concentrations. Though, P, K and Fe concentration in ryegrass fodder was found higher as compared to other fodder crops.