Response of annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum lam) to sowing dates and nitrogen fertilization

The effect of planting time and nitrogen fertilization on growth and development, forage yield and economics of annual ryegrass was observed during Rabi 2015–16 and 2016–17. Significantly higher plant height, tillers per square metre and dry matter accumulation of annual ryegrass was observed under 2^nd fortnight of October sown crop. The application of 160 kg N ha⁻¹ resulted in significantly better plant height, tillers per meter square and dry matter accumulation of annual ryegrass. Annual ryegrass produced significantly highest total green, dry forage yields vis-a-vis net returns (Rs. 98937.30 ha⁻¹) and BC ratio of 2.97 were obtained under sowing time of 2^nd fortnight of October. Application of nitrogen (160 kg N ha⁻¹) resulted in significantly highest total green and dry forage yields, net returns and BC ratio.