Effect of climate change on production of hybrid Napier (DHN-6) grass on milk yield

Abstract

The on farm trial was conducted during two consecutive years 2015-16 and 2016-17 at two contact villages of Deendayal Research Institutes Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ambajogai District Beed (Maharashtra). The trials were laid out in a randomized block design consisting of three treatments with 10 replications of each. The hybrid Bajra napier variety DHN – 6 was compared with two Guinea grass varieties Bundel guinea -1 and Bundel guinea - 2 for its performance and effect on milk yield. It was observed that the mean values of plant height (189.2 & 196.7 cm) and green fodder yield (88.7 & 93.5 t/ha) were highly significant (P<0.05) in hybrid napier variety DHN-6 over Bundel guinea-1 and Bundel guinea – 2. The mean values of dry matter (24.3 & 20.1%) were significantly (P<0.05) higher in hybrid napier variety DHN – 6 over Bundel guinea - 1 and Bundel guinea – 2. The recorded mean values of crude protein content (11.32 & 11.71%) were significantly (P<0.05) higher recorded in hybrid napier variety DHN – 6 over rest of the treatments. The mean values of milk fat (7.2 & 7.3 %) were significantly (P<0.05) higher recorded in treatment group fed with hybrid napier grass DHN – 6 than rest of the treatments. The higher milk yield was observed in treatment group fed with hybrid napier grass DHN – 6 than rest of the treatments. The mean values of cost of feeding observed lower in the treatment group fed with DHN-6 than group fed with Bundel guinea – 1 and Bundel guinea – 2. Moreover, the higher B: C ratio was observed in the treatment group fed with DHN-6 than rest of treatments groups. Therefore, it may be concluded that DHN-6 is better hybrid Napier variety for round the year nutritious green fodder and profitable milk production as compared to other varieties of green fodder.