Yield and quality of bajra napier hybrid as influenced by magnesium and boron nutrition in humid tropics of Kerala

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at AICRP on Forage Crops and Utilization, Vellayani for consecutive three years during Kharif 2015-17 to assess the influence of Mg and B nutrition on the performance of bajra napier hybrid. Treatments consisted of two field conditions (open and coconut garden) and five nutrient levels- N1 : recommended POP + MgSO4 80 kg/ha+ Borax 10 kg/ha, N2 : POP + MgSO4, 80 kg/ha, N3 : POP + Borax, 10 kg/ha, N4 : POP alone and N5 : POP without FYM. Application of 200:50:50 kg NPK/ha and 25 t/ha of farm yard manure (FYM) was taken as recommended package of practice (POP). Pooled analysis of three years data showed that field condition and nutrient levels had significant effect on plant height, number of tillers/hill, GFY and DFY of bajra napier hybrid. Higher (58%) GFY was recorded in open field compared to the crop raised in coconut garden with 25-30% shade. Among the nutrient levels, highest GFY and DFY was recorded in POP alone (200:50:50 kg NPK/ha and 25 t/ha of FYM). Interaction effect of treatments showed significantly superior GFY, DFY and crude protein content in T2 (200:50:50 kg NPK/ha and 25 t/ha of FYM + MgSO4 , 80kg/ha).