Nitrogen Economy, Biomass Production and Seed Production Potential of Chrysopogon fulvus by Intercropping of Pasture Legumes

Abstract

AbstractA field experiment was conducted to evaluate the performance of pasture legumes (Chtoria ternatea, Stylosanthes hamata, Centrosema pubescens, Atylosia scarabaeoides, Macroptelium atropurpureum, Phaseolus lathyroides, Vigna luteola, Glycine javanica used as intercropped element) in terms of nitrogen economy, biomass productivity and seed yield potential of Chrysopogon fulvus— a grass based management maintained for 1980–82 at the Research Farm, Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi under rainfed condition. Some legumes i.e. Atylosia scarabaeoides, Centrosema pubescens and Stylosanthes hamata enriched the nitrogen (74–90 kg/ha) status of soil which approximately doubled the biomass production (100–116 q/ha) as well as seed yield (78–81 kg/ha) of Chrysopogon fulvus. Furthermore the increased seed yield of C. fulvus under intercropping of legumes was attributed to its ear production, spike length and potential sink strength inducing the degree of germination (30 %). Potential performance of C. fulvus in the first year as compared to subsequent years might be due to its general transcript of the plant and have some interaction with rainfall. Extremely high and poor rainfall adversely affected the performance of C. fulvus.