Publication Date: 2023/12/05
Abstract: A field experiment was conducted under the foot hills of ooty at Forest College and Research Institute, Mettupalayam from 2020 to 2022 to estimate the productivity of fodder and legume grasses combination in the existing plantation of Melia dubia. Fodder crops viz., CO (BN) 5 grass, Guinea grass CO (GG) 3, Lucerne (Medicago sativa), Hedge lucerne (Desmanthus virgatus) and Stylosanthes were sown in four year old Melia plantation as sole crop and in combination. The soil taxonomically belongs to Irugur soil series (Inceptisol soil order). The soil is sandy loam in texture, neutral in soil reaction with a pH range of 6.6 to 7.3 and free from salinity hazards. The trials were laid out in randomized block design and replicated thrice. Results of this experiment revealed that CO (BN) 5 grass along with Hedge Lucerne were found to be compatible under Melia plantation in terms of fodder yield. In addition, the fodder crops grown as inter crops have a beneficial impact on the growth of tree components nitrogen fixation.
Keywords: Silvipasture, Melia, Fodder crops, CO (BN) 5 grass, Hedge Lucerne.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10259861
PDF: https://ijirst.demo4.arinfotech.co/assets/upload/files/IJISRT23NOV1037.pdf
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