Effect of phosphorus and potassium on growth characters, forage yield, nutrient uptake and quality of lucerne (Medicago sativa)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59797/ija.v51i3.5019Keywords:
Lucerne varieties, Fodder yield, Quality, Major nutrients (P, K)Abstract
A field experiment was conducted on well-drained sandy loam soils during the winter, summer and rainy (kharif) seasons of 2003-04 to study the nutritional requirement of major nutrients (P, K) for lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) crop. Application of 300 kg K,O/ha significantly increased the green-forage, dry-matter and crude-pro- tein yields by 17.2, 13.3 and 17.6%, respectively over the control (50 kg K,O/ha), whereas the application of 150 kg K,O/ha significantly increased the green-forage yield only compared with the control in cumulative yield of 12 cuts. Both the lucerne varieties ('GAUL I', 'AL 3') were more responsive to higher levels of potassium. Applica- tion of 75 kg P,O$ha along with 300 kg K,O/ha to lucerne variety 'AL 3' recorded significantly highest dry-matter yield and maximum uptake of N , P and K, whereas the highest crude-protein yield and the maximum uptake of N and K were obtained with combined application of 75 kg P205/ha and 300 kg K,O/ha to variety 'GAUL 1'. Applica- + tion of 50 kg P205 300 kg K20/ha to 'GAUL I' showed the maximum net return and net incremental cost: benefit ratio, followed by application of 75 kg P,O$ha + 300 kg K,O/ha to variety 'AL 3'.References
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