Department of Agronomy, Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Kuinarganj, Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh, 224229
1Present address: G.S.M. Division, Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh
A field experiment was conducted during the rainy (kharif) seasons of 1998 and 1999, to study the effect of intercrops, harvesting times and levels of nitrogen on growth, yield and quality of forage sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench] under rainfed conditions. Intercropping of sorghum with cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp.] recorded significantly higher leaf-area index, leaf: stem ratio, crop-growth rate, relative growth rate, net assimilation rate, forage and crude protein yield and nitrogen uptake of sorghurr compared to sorghum alone and its intercropping with clusterbean [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.] during both the years. Forage and crude protein yields and nitrogen uptake of sorghum were also significantly increased with harvesting at 75 days after sowing than harvesting at 45 days after sowing, but being statistically at par with harvesting at 60 days after sowing. However, significantly higher leaf: stem ratio was recorded with harvesting at 45 days after sowing than harvesting at 60 and 75 days after sowing. Nitrogen application @ 80 kg/ha significantly increased the leaf-area index, leaf: stem ratio, crop-growth rate, relative growth rate, net assimilation rate, forage and crude protein yield and nitrogen uptake compared to the control and 40 kg N/ha during both the years.
Sorghum, Legume, Intercropping, Harvesting times, Nitrogen, Growth parameters, Forage yield
