Response of Sweet Sudan Grass to Graded Levels of Phosphorus and Potassium Fertilization

Abstract

Background: Green fodder yield potential of the landmark multi-cut sweet sudan grass (SSG) variety SSG 59-3 was influenced due to the poor fertility status at many places in Haryana. The performance of sweet sudan grass under different P and K treatments was assessed by measuring fodder yield, agronomic efficiency, physiological efficiency and net income. Methods: A two-year (2018 and 2019) field study was conducted at Hisar, Haryana to assess the effect of four P levels (0, 6.6, 13.2 and 19.8 kg/ha P) and four K levels (0, 12.5, 25.0 and 37.5 kg/ha K) on growth, yield and quality of sweet sudan grass (SSG-59-3). The sixteen treatment combinations were replicated thrice in a factorial RBD. The sandy-loam soils of the experimental field was low in organic carbon (0.47%) and available nitrogen (141 kg/ha) and medium in available P (12.9 kg/ha) and K (225 kg/ha). The nutrients P and K were applied through di-ammonium phosphate and muriate of potash just before sowing. Result: The graded levels of P and K gave significantly better results up to 13.2 kg/ha P and 37.5 kg/ha K. The agronomic efficiency, physiological effecicency and apparent nutrient recovery (%) of nutrients were highest with lower levels of P and K (6.6 and 12.5 kg). The application of K had complementary effect on the uptake of P as appropriate ratios of N, P and K fertilizer improved absorption and utilization of nutrients.Therefore, farmers can apply 13.2 kg P/ha plus 37.5 kg K/ha along with recommend N for increased dry fodder yield and net income in sweet sudan grass.