Abstract
Nitrogen availability can be enhanced with the application of nitrogen fixing bacteria and it may be helpful in increasing forage yield and improving quality of oat. Therefore, a field trial to evaluate the effect of seed inoculation with nitrogen fixing bacteria on forage yield and quality of oat was carried out at Agronomic Research Area, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad during Rabi season 2013-14. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with factorial arrangements using three replications. The experiment was comprised of two integrated approaches. The first approach was oat cultivars consisting of four treatments, V1 (AVON), V2 (S-2000), V3 (S-2011) and V4 (PD2LV65) and the second approach was seed inoculation consisting of three treatments, S0 (control), S1 (Azotobacter spp.), S2 (Azospirillum spp.). Fisher’s analysis of variance technique was used for statistically interpretation of data by using least significant difference (LSD) test at 5% level of probability. Nitrogen fixing bacteria significantly affect the germination count (m2), plant height (cm), number of tillers (m2), number of leaves per tiller, leaf area per tiller (cm2), green forage yield (t·ha-1) and dry matter yield (t ha-1). The maximum green forage yield (85.2 t·ha-1), dry matter yield (14.1 t ·ha-1) and crude protein (11.5%) were recorded where Azotobacter inoculation was applied. The interaction between cultivars and nitrogenous strains was significant for green forage yield (t·ha-1), dry matter yield (t·ha-1) and crude protein (%). Conclusion showed that cultivar Sargodha-2011 which was inoculated with Azotobacter spp. gave higher forage yield of good quality.
Highlights
Oat (Avena sativa L.) is a cereal forage crop which belongs to poaceae family
First approach was oat cultivars consisting of four treatments, V1 (AVON), V2 (S-2000), V3 (S-2011) and V4 (PD2LV65) and second approach was seed inoculation consisting of three treatments, S0, S1 (Azotobacterspp.), S2 (Azospirillum spp.)
Oat cultivars and nitrogenous strains culture were obtained from Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan
Summary
Oat (Avena sativa L.) is a cereal forage crop which belongs to poaceae family. In Pakistan it is cultivated in irrigated and rainfed conditions. Due to increasing cost of fertilizers day by day in Pakistan, small land holder farmer’s community could not fulfill the proper demand for lacking nutrients in our soils To solve this problem we have to use bio-fertilizers, organic and inorganic sources or their combinations to meet the demand of oat forage crop for better nourishment of animals. The effect of Azotobacter chroococcum on soil nitrogen balance has been reported on different plant species such as forage oat (Avena sativa L.) by [17] and many other crops. Azotobacter and Azospirillum are potential bio-fertilizers and are capable to contribute nitrogen to a number of non-leguminous crops and can help us to increase quality and yield of forage crops without increased application of chemical fertilizers that pollute the environment
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
