Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management Practices on Physiological Growth Parameters of Perennial Fodder Crops in Custard Apple Based Horti-Pastoral System

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to assess the impact of integrated nutrient management practices on perennial fodders within a custard apple based horti-pastoral system during the Rabi season of 2021 at the Agroforestry Research Block of Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad. The study featured two main plots dedicated to the fodder species Cenchurus ciliaris (Anjan grass) and Megathyrsus maximus (Guinea grass), while six nutrient management practices along with a control were implemented as sub plots in a split-plot design. Results revealed that M. maximus has recorded significantly higher Physiological growth parameters viz., CGR, RGR at different growth stages in first cut. Among the integrated nutrient management practices, higher CGR values were recorded at 45 DAI with the application of75% RDN + 25% N through PGLM (13.47 g m-2 day-1) which was on par with –the application of 75% RDN + 25% N Through PM (12.78 g m-2 day-1) and RGR found non-significant. The experiment concludes that M. maximus found best for horti-pastoral system with PGLM or PM supplemental nutrient management.