Vol. 12, Issue 12 (2023)

Author(s):
Sandeep Kumar, Ravinder Nath and Kartikeya Choudhary

Abstract:
In Himachal Pradesh, farmers typically possess small land holdings where fodder cultivation has remained almost neglected. In Himachal Pradesh grasslands/pastures produce far below their potential and their carrying capacity is only 1.05 ACU (adult cattle unit with average body weight of 350 kg). Regarding nitrogen, it facilitates more vegetative growth by enhancing the photosynthetic rate. The higher the nitrogen content, the greater the vegetative growth potential. Therefore, present investigation titled “Effect of Nitrogen Levels and Harvesting Time on Growth, Yield and Economics of Fodder Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.)” was conducted during kharif season of 2022 at Chameli Agriculture Farm, MS Swaminathan School of Agriculture, Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences, Solan, Himachal Pradesh. The soil of the experimental site was sandy loam in texture, slightly alkaline in reaction with EC in safer range, medium in organic carbon, available nitrogen, potassium and high in available phosphorus. The field experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design comprising twelve treatments with three replications. The experiment consists of four levels of nitrogen i.e., (N₀) Control, (N₁) 50 kg N ha^-1, (N₂) 100 kg N ha^-1 and (N₃) 150 kg N ha^-1 as first factor and three harvesting times i.e., (H₁) 45 DAS, (H₂) 60 DAS and (H₃) 75 DAS as second factor. Recommended dose of phosphorous and potassium (50:50 kg ha^-1) was applied through SSP and MOP at the time of sowing. However, nitrogen was applied through urea 1/3 at the time of sowing and remaining two equal splits at 20 and 40 DAS. JS-263 variety of sorghum was used for sowing. Other crop management practices were followed as per the recommendation of the area. Results indicated that among the nitrogen levels, application of 150 kg N ha^-1 recorded significantly higher growth character and green fodder yield of fodder sorghum over rest of the nitrogen levels. In case of harvesting time, harvesting at (H₃) 75 DAS recorded significantly higher growth character and green fodder yield. Economically, application of 150 kg N ha^-1 along with harvesting at 75 DAS resulted in higher gross returns, net returns and B:C ratio.