Comparative Study on Forage and Nutrient Yields of Lucerne Varieties Sown With and Without Sarson or Fenugreek
L. P. Purohit
Animal Nutrition Department, Gujarat Agricultural University, Anand Campus, Anand 388 110.
Corresponding author
P. M. Talpada
Animal Nutrition Department, Gujarat Agricultural University, Anand Campus, Anand 388 110.
H. B. Desai
Animal Nutrition Department, Gujarat Agricultural University, Anand Campus, Anand 388 110.
B. M. Patel
Animal Nutrition Department, Gujarat Agricultural University, Anand Campus, Anand 388 110.
P. C. Shukla
Animal Nutrition Department, Gujarat Agricultural University, Anand Campus, Anand 388 110.
Abstract
To compare forage and nutrients yield of two improved varieties of lucerne (Sirsa-9' and 'Anand-2"), an experiment was conducted with six treatments in a rando-mised block design with four replications for a period of 600 days. The green yield was higher with 'Anand-2' + sarson (226729 kg/ha) followed by 'Sirsa-9' + sarson treatment. The highest dry matter, crude protein, crude fibre, N.F.E. and calcium yields were obse-rved under 'Anand-2' when grown alone. The result of the present study indicated that 'Anand-2' variety of lucerne was found to be superior to 'Sirsa.9' from green, dry matter and nutrients yield point of view. Moreover, higher green yield was obtained when lucerne crop was grown with sarson than when grown with fenugreek. The chemical composition revealed that crude protein content was singficantly higher for all 'Sirsa-9" treatments compared to 'Anand-2' treatements, while reverse trend was observed for crude fibre, silica, calcium and carotene contents.