Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Seed Yield, Quality and Economics of Seed Production in Lucerne during Rabi Season

Abstract

The field experiment was conducted to study the effect of integrated nutrient management on seed yield, quality and economics of seed production in Lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) at the farm field of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Konehalli, Tiptur taluk of Tumkuru district under southern dry zone of Karnataka during rabi seasons 2017-18. The experiments plots were laid out nine treatments with four replication and Randomized complete block design (RCBD). The results revealed that the maximum fresh herb yield at first harvest of herb (174.07 q/ha), herb yield after harvest of seeds (196.76 q/ha), early flowering (25.52 days), 50% flowering (33.45 days), pod initiation (46.90 days), pod maturation (71.68 days) were recorded during rabi seasons with application of 50 % RDF + 25 % N through vermicompost + Rhizobium + PSB + VAM. Whereas, minimum fresh herb yield, delayed flowering, pod initiation, pod maturation were recorded with application of 10 t/ha FYM + 100 % N through FYM. The plants supplied with 50 % RDF + 25 % N through vermicompost + Rhizobium + PSB + VAM was resulted maximum pod set per cent (57.85 %), number of pods per plant (242.45), pod yield per plant (21.10), pod length (6.42 mm), pod weight (90.10 mg), seed set per cent (63.70 %), number of seeds per pod (5.68), test weight (3.36 g), seed yield (231.02 kg/ha) and highest net return per hectare during rabi season, while, least pod and seed characters, seed yield and net return per hectare were recorded with application of 10 t/ha FYM + 100 % N through FYM. Therefore, plants supplied with 50 % RDF + 25 % N through vermicompost + Rhizobium + PSB + VAM may be recommended for commercial seed production in Lucerne during rabi season under southern dry zone of Karnataka.