Shade response of guinea grass (Panicum maximum J.) under varying levels of potash
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Date
2002
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Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vellayani
Abstract
A field experiment was conducted at the Instructional Farm, College of
Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala State to find out the potash
requirements for guinea grass (Panicum maximum J.) varieties under varying
shade levels.
The influence of shade levels and potassium on growth parameters, fodder
yield, quality of produce, uptake of nutrients, chemical properties of soil and
economics was investigated.
Three levels of shade (0,25,50 %), three levels of potassium (50, 100, 150
kg ha') and two varieties (Hamil and Haritha) were combined to from eighteen
treatment combinations. The experiment was laid out in split-split plot design
with three replications.
Results of the experiment revealed that lower levels of shade as well as
higher levels of potassium had significant positive influence on improving the
fodder production potential of guinea grass. Among the varieties, Hamil
registered higher yield potential compared to Haritha. Lower levels of shade and
higher doses of potassium significantly increased the growth parameters namely,
number of tillers leaf: stem ratio, leaf area index and root volume.
Lower levels of shade and higher doses of potassium registered maximum
green fodder yield in first, second and last harvests. However, in third and fourth
cuts, 25 percent shade level registered maximum green fodder yield. Among the
varieties, Hamil registered higher green fodder yield in all harvests. Similar
results were obtained in the case of dry fodder yield also.
Quaality parameters of the forage significantly improved as shade
progresses. Maximum crude protein content was realized at lower level of
potassium. Among the varieties, Haritha registered higher crude protein and
chlorophyll contents.
The nutrient uptake showed a significant increase with lower levels of
shade. Application of potassium significantly increased the uptake of nitrogen,
phosphorus and potassium. Hamil registered higher N, P, K uptake in-all
harvests.
There was a significant reduction of potassium status of the soil with
increase in shade levels. Application of potassium significantly increased the
phosphorus and potassium status of the soil after the experiment.
The optimum potassium dose for guinea grass was found to increase with
increase in shade intensity.
Lower levels of shade with higher dose of potassium registered highest net
returns and benefit cost ratio. But economic yield was obtained in shade intensity
up to 50 percent.
Description
PG
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Citation
172031