Agrotechniques to Enhance the Fodder Productivity and Quality of Berseem

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted at the MARS, UAS, Dharwad in red sandy newlineloam soil during rabi seasons of 2020-21 and 2021-22 to study the fodder productivity, newlinequality and economics of berseem. The first experiment was laid out in split-split plot newlinedesign with eighteen treatment combinations replicated thrice. The treatments newlinecomprised of combination of three genotypes viz., Vardhan, BB 2 and BB 3, two row newlinespacings (30 and 45 cm) and three RDF levels (75%, 100% and 125 % RDF). The newlinepooled results indicated that genotype BB 2 recorded significantly higher green and dry newlinefodder yield (19.20 and 2.67 t ha-1, respectively), crude protein yield (522.9 kg ha-1) and newlinenet returns (`34763 ha-1) as compared to BB3 and Vardhan. Between the row spacings, newlinethe berseem sown at 45 cm rows recorded green and dry fodder yield (17.41 t ha-1), dry newlinefodder (2.43 t ha-1), crude protein yield (482.9 kg ha-1) and net returns (`29395 ha-1) newlinewhich was on par with 30 cm (17.02, 2.38 t ha-1 and `28222 ha-1, respectively). Amid newlinethe RDF levels, application of 125% RDF recorded significantly higher green and dry newlinefodder yield (18.96 t ha-1 and 2.66 t ha-1, respectively), crude protein yield (528.3 kg newlineha-1) and net returns (`32345 ha-1). The interaction effect of combination of genotype newlineBB 2 sown at 45 cm row spacing with the application of 125% RDF resulted in higher newlinegreen and dry fodder yields (22.18 t ha-1 and 3.07 t ha-1, respectively), crude protein newlineyield (622.8 kg ha-1) and net returns (`42005 ha-1). newlineThe second experiment was conducted to evaluate the performance of berseem newlineunder different row proportions in intercropping system under irrigated conditions. The newlinefield experiment was laid out in factorial randomised design (FRBD) with two factors newlinereplicated thrice. The first factor was intercrops viz., oats and barley and second factor newlinerow proportions viz., 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 2:1, 2:2 and 2:3. The total treatment combinations newlinewere thirteen along with sole berseem, sole oats and sole barley. The results revealed newlinethat among the different intercrops, berse