Productivity and Economics of Ber-(Ziziphus Mauritiana) Based Horti-Pasture System Under Integrated Nutrient Management in Rajasthan

A field experiment was conducted at ICAR-Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute, Avikanagar (Rajasthan) for two consecutive years during kharif season (2012 and 2013) on sandy loam soil to investigate the effect of integrated supply of nutrients on ber-based horti-pasture system. The results revealed significantly (P<0.05) higher green fodder yield (19.9 t ha⁻¹), dry fodder yield (4.48 t ha⁻¹), grass seed yield (120 kg ha⁻¹) and protein content (7.36%) in Cenchrussetigerus as compared to C. ciliaris. Ber (Ziziphus mauritiana) leaf fodder (3.93 kg plant), fruit (36.84 kg plant) and fuel wood (23.31 kg plant) were also higher in association of C. setigerus than C. ciliaris. The maximum gross return (104429 ha⁻¹), net return (72029 ha⁻¹) and benefit: cost ratio (2.21: 1) was recorded in ber + C. setigerus horti-pasture system. Further, application of 50% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) of NPK through fertilizers + 50% through sheep manure (T_FM) in ber based horti-pasture system resulted increase in green fodder yield by 80.71%, dry matter yield by 35.07%, grass seed yield by 36.14%, protein content by 26.62%, ber leaf fodder by 42.56%, fruits by 47.34% and fuel wood by 90.31% over without fertilizer + manure (T₀). The maximum gross return (122374 ha⁻¹) and net return ( 79652 ha⁻¹) were realized under combined use of inorganic and organic sources of plant nutrients in ber based horti-pasture system (T FM). However, the highest benefit: cost ratio was noticed with 100% recommended doses of NPK through fertilizers (1: 2.19). It was concluded that combined application of sheep manure and inorganic fertilizer over the years increased productivity of ber based horti-pasture system under semi-arid condition of Rajasthan.