Different Silvi-pastoral systems for improving livestock production in rainfed areas of North Western Zone of Tamil Nadu
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Date
2024
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Abstract
A field study was conducted with different silvi-pastoral systems established at Livestock Farm Complex, Veterinary College and Research Institute, Namakkal during the year 2022 and 2023. There were combination of seven treatments replicated thrice in randomized block design. The treatment consist of productive performance of different silvipasture systems T1 - Cenchrus ciliaris + Stylosanthus scabra (3:1 ratio), T2 - Hardwickia binata with understorey of Cenchrus ciliaris, T3 - Hardwickia binata with understorey of Cenchrus ciliaris + Stylosanthus scabra (3:1 ratio), T4 - Hardwickia binata with understorey of natural pastures, T5 - Azardiracta indica with understorey of Cenchrus ciliaris, T6 - Azardiracta indica with understorey of Cenchrus ciliaris + Stylosanthus scabra (3:1 ratio) and T7 - Azardiracta indica with understorey of natural pasture. In the existing 10 years old Hardwickia binata and Azardiracta indica with a tree to tree spacing of 6 m x 6 m was taken up for the study. In the existing trees of Hardwickia binata and Azardiracta indica with fodder crops viz., Cenchrus ciliaris and Stylosanthus scabra and trees along with natural pastures were compared. The parameters of density, dry matter, biomass yield (Cenchrus equivalent yield) and proximate composition (Dry matter basis) of fodder crops, trees and natural pastures were recorded. The observations were recorded in three times during a year viz, Last week of July, First week of October and First week of January. The pooled data in two year experiment revealed that, T3 - Hardwickia binata with understorey of Cenchrus ciliaris + Stylosanthus scabra (3:1 ratio) recorded higher density, dry matter and biomass yield followed by T6 - Azardiracta indica with understorey of Cenchrus ciliaris + Stylosanthus scabra (3:1 ratio) recorded higher biomass yield when compared to other treatments. The nutrient content particularly crude protein content was recorded higher in T3 - Hardwickia binata with understorey of Cenchrus ciliaris + Stylosanthus scabra (3:1 ratio) and T6 - Azardiracta indica with understorey of Cenchrus ciliaris + Stylosanthus scabra (3:1 ratio).