Productivity of oat (Avena sativa) under different cutting management and split application of nitrogen

A field experiment was conducted during rabi season for three consecutive years (2006–2009) at Navsari, Gujarat to assess the seed production potential of oat (Avena sativa L.) under three cutting management viz., No cut, one cut at 30 DAS and one cut at 45 DAS and three times of nitrogen application viz., Two equal splits at basal and 30 DAS (60+60 kg N/ha), three splits at basal, 30 and 45 DAS (60+30+30 kg N/ha) and three equal splits at basal, 30 and 45 DAS (40+40+40 kg N/ha). Among cutting management practices, no cut treatment produced higher seed (2.33 t/ha) and straw (11.05 t/ha) yields than cutting at 30 and 45 DAS. However, highest green fodder yield (14.38 t/ha) was recorded with cutting at 45 DAS. Net returns (46,642/ha) and B: C ratio (2.10) was higher with no cutting treatment. Application of nitrogen in three equal splits (40+40+40) gave significantly higher seed (2.15 t/ha) and straw (10.04 t/ha) yields which were at par with three splits (60+30+30), whereas green fodder yield (12.26 t/ha) was found significantly higher when nitrogen applied in two equal splits. Net returns (51,617/ha) and B:C ratios (2.26) were increased when N was given in three equal splits. Consequently for higher productivity and profitability of oat crop, it should be grown without cutting and fertilized with three equal splits of nitrogen (at basal, 30 and 45 DAS).