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20111
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Subject: Agriculture × Author: KAU × Author: Soumya, P × End date: 2011 × Start date: 2011 ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Evaluation of promising hybrid napier cultivars under varying plant population
    (College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2011) Soumya, P; KAU; Jagadeesh, Kumar T N
    Hybrid Napier grass, an interspecific cross between Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) and bajra (Pennisetum glaucum L.) is a popular fodder grass grown in many parts of Kerala. The present investigation was undertaken to have an understanding on the growth characteristics, fodder production potential and nutritive value of some popular cultivars of hybrid Napier grass and also to find out the effect of plant population on their performance. The experiment was conducted at the Agronomy research farm of College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara during 2009-2010. Eight popular cultivars, namely, CO2, CO3, CO(CN)4, KKM-1, Suguna, Supriya, IGFRI-3 and DHN-6 were planted under three different spacing of 60cm x 60cm, 90cm x 60cm, and 90cm x 90cm. Observations were taken during the period of one year on growth and fodder production potential. The nutrient composition of different cultivars of hybrid Napier grass was also analysed. Among the cultivars evaluated, the growth was comparatively fast in KKM-1 followed by CO(CN)4 with respect to plant height, number of tillers, leaf length, leaf area index, relative growth rate and net assimilation rate. The fodder production potential of the cultivars was assessed by harvesting the herbage at 50- 55 days interval. The green and dry matter yields indicated a clear yield advantage for KKM-1 and CO(CN)4, which were on par and hence can be ranked first. The cultivars CO2 and DHN-6 can be ranked second based on yield. Suguna, CO3 and Supriya came third in fodder production and IGFRI-3, fourth with the lowest yield. Regarding spacing, number of tillers per plant was comparatively higher at wider spacing of 90cm x 90cm. Leaf area ratio and relative growth rate were also higher under lower plant densities. At the same time, leaf area index was found to be higher at closer spacing of 60cm x 60cm. Other parameters such as plant height, number of leaves, leaf: stem ratio etc. were found to be non significant with respect to spacing. Considering annual fodder production, herbage and dry matter yields were higher at closer spacing of 60cm x 60cm. Nutritional attributes like crude protein, crude fibre, ether extract, nitrogen free extract, total ash, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and oxalate content of all the cultivars were assessed. Nutritionally, the cultivars differed with respect to crude protein and oxalate content. All the cultivars except CO2 had higher crude protein content. Oxalate content which is an anti nutritional factor, was higher in CO2 and IGFRI-3 while, the least oxalate content was recorded in DHN-6. From nutrient point of view, the cultivar DHN-6 was found to be superior. Regarding the nutrient uptake from soil, KKM-1, CO(CN)4 and CO2 had higher rate of removal. Among the three spacings, nutrient uptake by plants was higher under closer spacing of 60cm x 60cm compared to wider spacings. Among the cultivars, B:C ratio was maximum for KKM-1 and among the spacings, closer spacing of 60cm x 60cm was found to be more profitable. Among the cultivars evaluated, KKM-1 and CO(CN)4 ranked first with respect to high fresh and dry fodder yield. Although the cultivars DHN-6 and CO2 were comparable in yield and ranked second, quality wise DHN-6 was better with the least oxalate content, better leaf: stem ratio and crude protein content. Therefore, along with KKM-1 and CO(CN)4, DHN-6 can also be recommended for Kerala under irrigated conditions. The spacing of 60cm x 60cm was the ideal spacing for hybrid Napier cultivation in Kerala condition for maximum yield