Influence of Seed Rate and Fertilizer Levels on Dry Matter Distribution and Dry Matter Yield of Fodder Cowpea (cv. Swad)

A field experiment was conducted at the Main Agricultural Research Station, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad in Northern Transition Zone of Karnataka on red sandy loam soil to study the influence of seed rate and fertilizer levels on dry matter accumulationand dry matter yield of fodder cowpea during kharif 2011. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with 12 treatment combinations consisting of four seed rates (30, 40, 50 and 60 kg ha⁻¹) and three levels of fertilizer (15: 30, 25:50, 35: 70 kg N: P₂O₅ ha⁻¹). A seed rate of 30 kg ha⁻¹ recorded significantly higher dry weight of leaves, stem and total dry weight of plant at 20, 40 DAS and at harvest. Even though, per plant yield was significantly higher in lower seed rate (S₁) due to lower plant population ha⁻¹ significantly less dry matter yield (5.21 t ha⁻¹) was recorded comparedtoS₃ (5.34 t ha⁻¹)_. A fertilizer level of 25 kg N and 50 kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹ recorded significantly higher dry weight of leaves, stem and total dry weight of plant at 40 DAS and at harvest, and also significantly higher dry matter yieldha⁻¹ (5.35 t ha⁻¹) was observed. A treatment combination of 25 kg N and 50 kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹ with a seed rate of 50 kg ha⁻¹ recorded numerically higher dry matter yield (5.52 t ha⁻¹) compared to other treatment combinations.