Evaluation of fodder crops for scarce rainfall zone of Andhra Pradesh

A Field experiment was conducted at Agricultural Research Station, Ananthapuramu in rainfed alfisols for three years (kharif 2021 to 2023) to evaluate the performance of different fodder crops. Eight treatments consisting of three perennial grasses, two annual and three legume fodder crops were tested in a randomized block design with three replications. Mean data of three years indicated that among the fodder crops, significantly higher total green fodder yield was recorded with fodder cowpea (18.79 t/ha) compared to other crops except rhodes grass (18.55 t/ha), fodder bajra (17.18 t/ha), fodder sorghum (15.50 t/ha) and hedge lucerne (13.97 t/ha). Sewan grass recorded significantly lower total green fodder yield of 5.43 t/ha. The highest net returns and B:C ratio was recorded with fodder cowpea followed by hedge lucerne and Stylosanthes. Among different crops, fodder cowpea, fodder bajra and rhodes grass were found suitable for scarce rainfall zone of Andhra Pradesh.