Effect of legumes and fertility levels on buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliuris) and annona (Annona squamosa) grown under horti-pasture system
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59797/ija.v51i4.5029Keywords:
Horti-pasture system, Intercropping, Cenchrus ciliaris, Stylosanthes species, Annona squa- mosa, Phosphorus, PotashAbstract
A field experiment was conducted during 2002-05 on sandy-loam soil to study the effect of legumes (Stylosanthes hamata L. Taub. and S. scabra Vogel) and fertility levels (P,05 and K,O Q 0 and 0, 20 and 15, 40 and 30, and 60 and 45 kglha) on buffel grass + annona horti-pasture system. An intercropping of S. hamata with buffel grass under annona trees resulted in significantly higher total dry forage (5.07, 6.15 and 6.63 tonneslha) and crude protein yield (436.1, 526.8 and 547.3 kglha) than S. scabra in the first, second and third years respec- tively. Dry forage yield and fruit quality of annona was significantly improved with the application of 40 kg P,05 + 30 kg K,Olha compared with the control treatment. However, crude protein yield and fruit yield were significantly increased up to 60 kg P,05 + 45 kg K,Olha. Application of phosphorus and potash also had a positive effect on maintenance of legumes population. Persistence of legumes were 91.8 and 84.3% in the treatment where fertil- izer (phosphorus and potash) was applied Q 60 + 45 kglha compared to the control treatment (78.3 and 67.2%) during the second and third years respectively. Maximum net returns and benefit : cost ratio were obtained by the intercropping of S. hamata along with application of 60 kg P,051ha and 45 kg K,O/ha in buffel grass under annona tress during all the 3 years.References
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