Fodder Yield and Quality of Oats Fodder (Avena sativa) as Influenced by Salinity of Irrigation Water and Applied Nitrogen Levels

An experiment consisting of four irrigation water salinity levels (good quality water (0.69 dS/m), 2 EC, 4 EC and 6 EC water) and four N levels (0, 50, 100 and 125% recommended dose of N) was laid down in a factorial RBD to find out the effect on green fodder yield and quality of fodder oats. Salinity of irrigation water upto 4 EC did not influence fodder yield. The levels of proximate principles except those of total ash, organic matter and ether extract at 2^nd cut were not affected significantly by irrigation salinity up to 6 EC compared to good quality water. Application of 100% recommended dose (150 kg ha⁻¹) of N (RDN) significantly increased the yield and quality of oats green fodder. N application did not significantly affect hemicellulose, neutral detergent fibre at 2^nd cut and acid detergent fibre at 1^st cut. The treatment involving 125% RDN decreased NDF content significantly while ADF and total carbohydrate content decreased significantly using 50% RDN. Crude protein content also increased significantly using 50% RDN.