Effect of sowing methods and nutrient management on growth and yield of Cenchrus setigerus for resource utilization in dryland regions

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted from 2012 to 2015 at Dry land Farming Research Station, Arjia, Bhilwara (Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture & Technology, Udaipur, Rajasthan) with an objective to utilize the inter row space in existing neem tree rows to improve the productivity of waste and problematic land which were completely degraded and there were only some unproductive local grasses in small patches between the neem trees. The experiment consisting of nine treatment combinations, three sowing method for establishment of Cenchrus setigerus grass (Direct seed sowing, Mud ball/Pallet sowing and socking seed in 50 ppm CuSO4 @ solution for 16 hour) and three nutrient levels (No fertilizer, 10 kg N with 15 kg P2O5 ha-1 and 20 kg N with 30 kg P2O5 ha-1) in factorial RBD with three replications. Sowing of Cenchrus setigerus seed as mud ball (pallet) and application of 20 kg N and 30 kg P2O5/ha enhance the germination percent, number of clump per meter row length, number of slips per clump and height of the grass. Further, as pooled mean basis sowing of Cenchrus setigerus grass seed as mud ball (pallet) with application of 20 kg N with 30 kg P2O5 /ha gave significantly higher seed yield (88.89 kg/ha) and dry grass yield (26.72 kg /ha) which were 103.04 and 90 percent higher in comparison to direct seed sowing (43.78 kg/ha and 1406 kg/ha), respectively.