Exploring the Impact of Varying Nitrogen Levels and Cutting Management on Fodder Yield and Nutritional Quality in Fodder Pearlmillet (Pennisetum glaucum L.)

Abstract

A Field experiment was conducted at AICRP on Forage Crops and Utilization, ARI, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad during kharif 2021. The treatments consisted of four fodder pearl millet  varieties  (TSFB 15-4, TSFB 15-8 ,Moti bajra and Moti bajra ), two nitrogen levels (80 and 120 kg N ha-1) and two cutting management practices (C1: Two cuts: 1st at 60 DAS, 2nd cut at 50% flowering) (C2: Three cuts: 1st at 50 DAS, 2nd cut at 35 days after 1st cut and 3rd cut at 50% flowering) laid out in randomized block design with factorial concept, with Factor (A) as varieties, Factor (B) as nitrogen levels and Factor (C) as cutting management with three replications. The soil was sandy loam in texture with pH of 7.0 low in available nitrogen, medium in available phosphorus and available potassium. The results revealed that TSFB 15-8 recorded significantly higher green fodder (769.8 q ha-1) and dry fodder (191.7 q ha-1) yields. The variety TSFB 15-8 was also shown highest crude protein content (6.0%), crude protein yield (13.8 q ha-1) and higher nitrogen uptake (190.2 kg ha-1). Application of nitrogen 120 kg N ha-1 significantly recorded maximum green fodder yield (716.1 q ha-1),dry fodder yield,crude protein content (6.1%), crude protein yield (14.7 q ha-1) and nitrogen uptake (207.1kg ha-1). But as the nitrogen application increases the ADF and NDF contents decrease. The higher ADF and NDF contents recorded highest at 80 kg N ha-1 and lowest at 120 kg N ha-1. Three cuts for green fodder recorded highest crude protein content (6.5%), crude protein yield (13.9 q ha-1) and nitrogen uptake (228.0 kg ha-1) over two cuts for green fodder. Variety TSFB 15-8 with nitrogen level of 120 kg N ha-1 at C2 found suitable and economical for cultivation in southernTelangana zone.