Effect of integrated nutrient management on ber (Ziziphus mauritiana Lam) based horti-pasture system under semi-arid condition of Rajasthan

A field investigation during 2010 and 2011 in 20 year old ber plantation was carried out to evaluate the productivity of ber based horti-pastoral system under different nutrient management practices at research farm, ICARCSWRI, Avikanagar, Rajasthan. Investigation consisted of evaluation of Cenchrus ciliaris and Cenchrus setigerus in main plot and fournutrient management practices viz. control (T₀), sheep manure @ 10 t ha⁻¹ in grasses + 12 kg sheep manure inberplant⁻¹ (T_M), 40+40+20 kg NPK ha⁻¹ in grasses and 500 g Urea + 750 g SSP + 750g MOP in ber plant⁻¹ (T_F) and 5t sheep manure + 20+20+10 kg NPK ha⁻¹ in grasses and 250 g urea +375 g SSP +375 g MOP + 6 kg sheep manure in ber plant¹ (T_MF). Results revealed that C. setigerus gave significantly highergreen fodder (21.9 t ha⁻¹), dry matter yield (4.60 t ha⁻¹), seed yield (101kg ha⁻¹), protein content(7.76%) and prote in yield (225kg ha⁻¹) than to C. ciliaris. Production of berleaves, fruit and fuel wood was also found significantly higher with C. setigerus. Application of recommended half dose of NPK (20+20+10kg ha⁻¹) with 5t sheep manure ha⁻¹ to grasses and 250 g urea + 375 g SSP + 375 g MOP with 6kg seep manure plant⁻¹ (T_MF) resulted significantly higher green fodder (24.9t ha⁻¹), dry fodder(4.80t ha⁻¹), grass seed yield(112kg ha⁻¹), protein content (8.93%) and protein yield (266 kg ha⁻¹) compared to sole application of organic manures (T_M) and no application of either source of nutrients (T₀). Further, this nutrient management practice also brought highest benefit: cost ratio (2.14). Comparatively higher net economic return (Rs. 33247 ha⁻¹) was obtained from ber with C. setigerus.