PLANT DENSITY AND NITROGEN MANAGEMENT IN RYE GRASS FOR QUALITY FODDER PRODUCTION
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Date
2024
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Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi
Abstract
Rye grass is an important multi-cut non-legume Rabi fodder. Rye grass sown in
the last week of September recorded higher yield and more number of cuts (5-6 cuts) upto
middle of April. The crop gets ready for first cut in 50-55 days after sowing and
subsequent cuttings at 25-30 days intervals. It’s dry matter production is quite
comparable with the traditional winter fodder, like Berseem and oat. Green fodder of Rye
grass is much succulent and highly palatable.
A field study entitled “Plant density and nitrogen management in Rye grass for
quality fodder production” was carried out during Rabi season of 2021-22 at research
field of Agrostology state plan unit, College of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry
under Birsa Agricultural University, Kanke, Ranchi. The field experiment was laid out in
Split Plot Design with four (4) different plant density viz. 75 % Recommended seed rate
(RSR), 100 % RSR, 125 % RSR & 150 % RSR under main plots treatments, and four (4)
Nitrogen levels, viz. 100% Recommended Dose of Nitrogen (RDN), 125 % RDN, 150 %
RDN & 175 % RDN under sub plots. The recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) was
80:50:30:: N:P2O5:K2O kg/ha and Makhan grass variety was taken for the study. The soil
was sandy laom with their initial status in terms of organic carbon (3.85 g/kg of soil), pH
(5.94), available N (219.80 kg/ha), P2O5 (26.30 kg/ha) and K2O (136.70 kg/ha).
Results reflected that, the growth, yield attributes & yield, quality and economics of
Rye grass were significantly influenced by different plant density and nitrogen levels.
Growth and yield characters of Rye grass improved with increased levels of nitrogen up to
175% RDN and 150% RSR recorded more plant density (231.25/m2). Among the various
recommended seed rate (RSR), 75% RSR recorded tallest plant (30.83, 35.49, 34.78 & 26.83
cm) & highest crude protein content (13.26, 12.86, 12.69 & 12.50 %) at different cuts. The
Leaf Area Index (LAI) and Leaf : Stem ratio (L:S ratio) were higher with 100% RSR at all the
cuts, whose respective mean was (1.79 & 6.31).
The treatment combination of 150 % RSR with 175 % RDN recorded highest
tillers/m2 (754, 724, 709 & 593); Green fodder yield 491.08 q/ha (140.23, 152.44, 121.04,
& 77.37 q/ha), Dry fodder yield of 80.84 q/ha (21.80, 27.13, 18.76 & 13.15 q/ha) and
Productivity 3.92 q/ha/day (2.80, 6.10, 4.84 & 3.09 q/ha/day). Further, the treatment
combination of 150 % RSR with 175 % RDN in terms of economic i.e. gross return (₹ 1,
46,854/ha), net return (₹ 1, 06,427/ha), B: C ratio (2.63) and profitability (₹
851.42/ha/day) recorded maximum.
Based on one year of experimentation, it may concluded that Rye grass (CV:
Makhan grass) grown at 25 cm row to row distance with seed rate 150 % RSR (18.0 kg/ha)
and fertilized by 175% RDN (140 kg N, 50 kg P2O5 and 30 kg K2O/ha) produced GFY
(491.08 q/ha), DFY (80.84 q/ha), B:C ratio (2.63) with profitability (₹ 851.42 /ha/day).