Vol. 12, Issue 12 (2023)

Author(s):
AD Rathod, JM Modhvadia, RJ Patel and NH Patel

Abstract:
Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important fodder crop species and is grown throughout a wide range of climates. India relies on mixed farming, combining crops and livestock. Livestock, contributing 7% to the national GDP, serves as a crucial livelihood for 70% of the rural population. However, the livestock sector faces challenges such as a deficit in green fodder, dry crop residues, and concentrate feeds. Maize, a significant cereal crop globally, plays a vital role in livestock productivity in India. Deficit irrigation scheduling on the other hand is the practice of irrigating crops below the full water requirement. The effects of water stress on crop growth and fodder yield will depend on the timing and magnitude of water stress as well as crop type, since different crops have different levels of tolerance to water stress. For many field crops the most critical period of water stress is during the transition from vegetative to reproductive growth or from flowering to fruit setting. Nitrogen fertilizer played important role in improving soil fertility and increase in crop productivity. A study has been conducted during summer season of 2021 at Junagadh (21.50 N latitude and 70.50 E longitude) of Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh under typically subtropical climatic conditions to know the best irrigation scheduling and optimum nitrogen level for summer fodder maize. The treatment combinations include three irrigation levels (I₁, I₂ and I₃ at 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 IW/CPE respectively) and four nitrogen levels (N₁, N₂, N₃ and N₄ at 60, 80, 100 and 120 kg N/ha). The treatments were laid out using Split plot Design and replicated four times with 12 treatment combinations. The variety taken for the experiment was African tall and sown on the spacing of 30cm×10cm. Irrespective of nitrogen levels, I₃ significantly produced highest green as well as dry fodder yield (336.46 q/ha and 91.73 q/ha) and on the other hand, N₄ produced highest green as well as dry fodder yield (372.82 q/ha and 99.09 q/ha) which is statistical differ from other levels. Crude protein and Crude fiber content (7.21 and 32.75%) were found highest in I₃. Benefit cost ratio (2.29) was calculated highest in irrigation at IW/CPE is 1.0 with application of 120 kg nitrogen.