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Production potential, biological feasibility and economics of guinea grass (Stylosanthes hamata) intercropping systems under various fertility levels in rainfed conditions

Year: 2009
Type: article
Abstract: A field experiment was conducted during 2003-07on sandy loam soil to study the effect of row ratios and fertility levels on growth, persistence of legume, productivity, quality and monetary returns of guinea grass-Stylosanthes hamata (L.) Taub intercropping system under rainfed conditions. Intercropping of guinea grass with S. hamata in paired row gave significantly higher green forage (20.35 tonnes/ha), dry forage (5.01 tonnes/ha) and crude protein yields (438.8 kg/ha) compared with the sole stand of both grass and legume and alternate row and it was at par with 3:3 and 4:4 row ratios during all the four years. The dry matter yields of the recommended dose of fertilizer was reduced by 22.71% over 75% of recommended dose of fertilizer + 5 tonnes farmyard manure/ha. Persistence of S. hamata were higher (85.19, 74.72 and 69.78%) in its sole stand when compared to alternate row of grass legume intercropping (76.26, 56.38 and 45.37%) during all the three years. Intercropping of guinea grass with S. hamata in all the row ratios resulted in land equivalent ratio >1, indicating intercropping advantages. The maximum values of the relative crowding co-efficient was recorded in paired row of grass-legume intercropping, which indicated comparative yield advantage of this system over the other intercropping treatments. The maximum net returns (Rs 5 103/ha) as well as net returns/Re invested (0.72) were obtained in paired row of grass-legume intercropping. Among fertility levels, highest net returns (Rs 5 276/ ha) and net return/Re invested (0.55) were achieved with application of 75% of the recommended dose of fertilizer in combination with 5 tonnes farmyard manure/ha.
Author: Shri Ram
Language: English
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W1554147386
FWCI: 0.566
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Cited by: 3
Related to: 10