Effect of different sowing dates and plant geometry on yield and economics of Lucerne

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during Rabi 2024-25 at the Experimental Farm, Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, VNMKV, Parbhani (M.S.), to evaluate the effect of sowing dates and spacing on growth, yield, and quality of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.). The experiment, laid out in a split-plot design with three replications, comprised four sowing dates (D1: 22nd Oct, D2: 12th Nov, D3: 27th Nov, D4: 10th Dec) as main plots and three spacings (S1: 22.5 cm, S2: 30 cm, S3: 45 cm) as sub-plots. The soil was medium black, clay loam, and neutral in reaction (pH 7.15). Early sowing (D1) significantly enhanced plant height (37.98 cm), number of leaves (13.09), leaf area (11.54 dm²), green fodder yield (9186 kg ha-1), dry fodder yield (1837 kg ha-1), protein content (22.09%), nutrient uptake (N: 325.20, P: 20.16, Ca: 113.96 kg ha-1), and economics GMR:( ₹1,16,052 ha-1); NMR: (₹40,874 ha-1); B:C ratio: (1.54), and was at par with D2. Among spacings, S2 (30 cm) was superior with improved growth plant height: (37.72 cm), leaves: (12.90), yields green fodder: (8506 kg ha⁻¹); dry fodder: (1701 kg ha⁻¹), quality protein: (22.10%), nutrient uptake N: (301.92), P: (18.31), Ca: (107.70 kg ha-1), and profitability GMR: (₹1,08,316 ha-1); NMR: (₹33,138 ha-1); B:C ratio: ( 1.44), and was statistically at par with S1.