Yield and Quality of Fodder Oat (Avena sativa L.) as Influenced by Tillage Practices and Nutrient Management

A field experiment was carried out during rabi 2011–12 to study the effect of tillage (zero tillage, minimal tillage and conventional tillage) and nutrient management (75 per cent RDF, 75 per cent RDF + bio fertilizers (Azotobacter + PSB), 100 per cent RDF, 100per cent RDF + biofertilizers(Azotobacter + PSB)) practices on fodder yield and quality of oat. The soil of experimental field was clayey in texture, locally known as kanhar (vertisol). The soil was neutral in pH and low in available nitrogen and available phosphorus and medium in available potassium content. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. The conventional tillage recorded maximum green fodder yield (342.23 q/ha), dry fodder yield (79.42 q/ha) and superior quality of fodder oat. Application of 100 per cent RDF + biofertilizers in fodder oat (Avena sativa L.) recorded maximum green (329.76 q/ha) and dry (77.57 q/ha) fodder yields and good quality fodder. Interaction of conventional tillage and 100% RDF + Biofertilizers recorded highest yield and superior quality.