Production Potential and Economics of Guinea Grass- Caribbean Stylo under Various Row Proportions and Fertility Levels in Rainfed Conditions

A field experiment was conducted on sandy loam soil for four consecutive years (2003–04 to 2006–07) at Central Research Farm of Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi to study the effect of row ratios and fertility levels on growth, persistence of legume, productivity, quality and monetary return of Guinea grass-S. hamata intercropping system under rainfed conditions. Intercropping of Guinea grass with S. hamata in paired row produced significantly higher green forage (20.35 t/ha), dry forage (5.01 t/ha) and crude proteins yields (438.8 kg/ha) as compared to sole stand of both grass and legumes and alternate row and it was at par with 3:3 and 4:4 row ratios during all the four years. The dry matter yields of the recommended dose of fertilizer was reduced by 22.71 per cent over 75 per cent of RDF + 5 t FYM/ha. Persistence of S. hamata were higher (85.19, 74.72 and 69.78 per cent) in its sole stand when compared to alternate row of grass legume intercropping (76.26, 56.38 and 45.37 per cent) during all the three years. Intercropping of Guinea grass with S. hamata in all the row ratios resulted in land equivalent ratio greater than 1, indicating intercropping advantages. The maximum net returns (Rs 5103/ha) as well as net return/Re invested (0.72) were obtained in paired row of grass-legume intercropping. Among fertility levels, highest net returns (Rs 5276/ha) and net return/Re invested (0.55) were achieved with application of 75% of the RDF in combination with 5 t FYM/ha.