1Deputy Manager, National Dairy Development Board, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560 095
2Principal Scientists, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Research Station, Karnal
3Principal Scientists, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Research Station, Karnal
4Senior Scientist, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, 132 001
ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, 132 001
*Corresponding author Email: nishaknl@gmail.com
Online published on 8 September, 2016.
A field experiment was conducted at the ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, during the winter season of 2012–13 on clay loam soils, to evaluate the effect of different sowing dates and nitrogen fertilizer on forage yield and nitrogen uptake in turnip [Brassica rapa (L.)]. The crop sown on 26 September recorded significantly higher plant height, number of leaves, forage yield, and nitrogen uptake than that sown on 26 October and 11 November. Higher values of plant height and forage yield were the reflection of higher accumulation of growing degree-days, which gradually reduced with delay in sowing from 26 September to 11 November respectively. Forage yield was significantly improved by application of nitrogen at 160 kg N/ha compared to lower nitrogen levels. Response of nitrogen to forage yield of turnip was linear. Net returns (62, 411/ha) and (56, 534/ha) and benefit: cost ratio (2.57) and (2.34) were the highest with 26 September sowing and 160 kg N/ha respectively.
Date of sowing, Growing degree days, Nitrogen uptake, Net returns
