Evaluation of fodder cropping sequences under Tarai region of Uttarakhand

Field experiments were carried out to record the performance of twelve cropping sequences in randomized complete block design with three replications during 2015–16 and 2016–17 at Pantnagar. Different cropping sequences were assessed for fodder and nutrient yields, production and land use efficiency, profitability and soil organic carbon sequestration. Study revealed that hybrid Napier + berseem cropping sequence (CS₁₂) had higher green fodder (185.8%) and dry fodder (306.7%) yields than commonly practiced single cut sorghum + cowpea-oat + berseem-single cut sorghum + cowpea cropping sequence (CS₁). This also had significantly higher digestible dry matter (77.3 t ha⁻¹), crude protein (11.4 t ha⁻¹) and mineral (10.0 t ha⁻¹) yields than CS₁. Production efficiency with this treatment was 1.33 and 0.40 t ha⁻¹ day⁻¹ in terms of green and dry fodder yields, respectively against 0.53 and 0.11 t ha⁻¹ day⁻¹, which was observed in CS₁. CS₁₂ was the most profitable cropping sequence showing 285.6, 235.1 and 222.2% higher net return, B:C ratio and economic efficiency, respectively than commonly followed cropping sequence (CS₁). However, CS₁₂ and CS₁ were at par with respect to soil organic carbon sequestration. So hybrid Napier + berseem cropping sequence (CS₁₂) could be recommended for Tarai region.