Study of cutting management on proximate analysis in wheat, oat and barley crops

An experiment were conducted in rabi season during 2012–2013 to find out the effect of cereal crops (Wheat, Oat, Barley) and cutting schedule on forage and grain yield. The study revealed the maximum chlorophyll accumulation in Barley and wheat during the initial stage at 95 DAS and wheat and barley during reproductive stage at 30 DAS. Cutting at 50 DAS is proved beneficial on chlorophyll accumulation. Photosynthetic rate were maximum in wheat at 90 DAS. However cutting did not affect photosynthesis rate stomatal conductance and transpiration rate. Barley gave maximum fodder yield (fresh/day). Cutting at 50 DAS was beneficial in producing maximum fodder yield without sacrificing grain yield of cereal crops.

• Wheat recorded the maximum protein (13.46%) and carbohydrate (69.66%) contents, whereas Oat recorded the maximum fiber content (12.57%), respectively. In sub-treatments, C₁ had the maximum protein (13.39%) and fiber contents (11.87%), whereas C₂ (71.06%) recorded the maximum carbohydrate content.