Vol. 11, Issue 11 (2022)

Author(s):
VR Yadahalli, M Thiruppathi, SB Patil, R Rex Immanuel and R Gnanasekar

Abstract:
The nutrient management in fodder-based cropping sequence is a key to maximize the fodder production and its quality. It has been realized that integrated nutrient management is the best way of achieving higher productivity and enhancing the fodder quality. Keeping these in view field experiments were conducted at Vjayapur and Bagalkot District Cooperative Milk Union Ltd., Vijayapur, Dairy Farm to find out the effect of integrated nutrient management practices in augmenting the quality fodder yield of maize in fodder maize + cowpea intercrop during the Summer season of 2021 and 2022. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. In main plot, three methods of biofertilizer application were imposed with one absolute control and in the sub plot four INM component like application of graded levels of recommended dose of nitrogen (75, 100 and 125% RDN) with vermicompost on the equivalent basis of 25, 50 and 75% of RDN was take on with one absolute control. The experimental results were confirmed that seed treatment with Azospirillum and soil application of Phosphobacteria significantly increased the green forage yield, dry fodder yield crude fiber yield and dry matter content of fodder maize with improved the quality attributes like crude protein, crude fiber, ether extract, ash content and acid insoluble ash content over other treatments and no biofertilizers applied plot. Likewise, application 75% recommended dose of N + recommended dose of P and K+ 25% N on equivalent basis of vermicompost excelled over other INM practices by registering higher values on yields and fodder quality characters. Interaction effect between methods of biofertilizers application and integrated nitrogen management practices was significant. However, seed treatment of Azospirillum and soil application of Phosphobacteria along with application 75% recommended dose of N + recommended dose of P and K+ 25% N on equivalent basis of vermicompost proved its superiority in resulting higher green fodder yield, dry fodder yield and crude protein yield with excellent fodder quality properties.