Quantification of growth and forage yield of staggered sown cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) using variable seed rate
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Date
2019
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Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana
Abstract
The field studies entitled „Quantification of growth and forage yield of staggered sown cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) using variable seed rate‟ were carried out using Randomised Complete Block Design at two locations namely Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana and its Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Moga. Seven dates of sowing i.e. March 5(D1), March 25(D2), April 14(D3), May 4(D4), May 24(D5), June 13(D6) and July 3(D7) and two seed rates i.e. recommended (30 kg/ha) and 37.5 kg/ha comprised fourteen treatment combinations. Experiment was replicated 4 times at Ludhiana and 3 times at Moga. Ludhiana and Moga soils were normal in pH and EC, low in available N and high in available K. Available P was high and medium in range at Ludhiana and Moga, respectively. The highest and least number of days for initiation and completion of emergence were taken by March 5 (D1) and July 7 (D7) sown crop, respectively. Flowering was observed only in March 5 (D1) sowing date. Crop sown on April 14 (D3) produced the highest number of branches, leaf area, crop growth rate, green and dry fodder yield. The earliest sown crop (D1) had the better fodder quality parameters i.e. Crude protein content, Net gas production, Metabolizable energy, Total digestible nutrients and digestibility. Green fodder yield was significantly increased by 9.3 % and 8.5 % with higher seed rate at Ludhiana and Moga, respectively.
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