Evaluation of fodder cropping sequences under Tarai region of Uttarakhand Prajapati Brajkishor1,2, Nanda Gangadhar3,*, Kumar Kranti1, Prajapati Jaya4, Giri Pravamanjari5 1Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar-263145, India 2Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Balaghat-481001, India 3Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa-848125, India 4Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221005, India 5Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Balasore-756023, India *Corresponding author e-mail: gangadhar.nanda4@gmail.com
Online published on 20 September, 2023. Abstract Field experiments were carried out to record the performance of twelve cropping sequences in randomized complete block design with three replications during 2015–16 and 2016–17 at Pantnagar. Different cropping sequences were assessed for fodder and nutrient yields, production and land use efficiency, profitability and soil organic carbon sequestration. Study revealed that hybrid Napier + berseem cropping sequence (CS12) had higher green fodder (185.8%) and dry fodder (306.7%) yields than commonly practiced single cut sorghum + cowpea-oat + berseem-single cut sorghum + cowpea cropping sequence (CS1). This also had significantly higher digestible dry matter (77.3 t ha−1), crude protein (11.4 t ha−1) and mineral (10.0 t ha−1) yields than CS1. Production efficiency with this treatment was 1.33 and 0.40 t ha−1 day−1 in terms of green and dry fodder yields, respectively against 0.53 and 0.11 t ha−1 day−1, which was observed in CS1. CS12 was the most profitable cropping sequence showing 285.6, 235.1 and 222.2% higher net return, B:C ratio and economic efficiency, respectively than commonly followed cropping sequence (CS1). However, CS12 and CS1 were at par with respect to soil organic carbon sequestration. So hybrid Napier + berseem cropping sequence (CS12) could be recommended for Tarai region. Top Keywords Carbon sequestration, Cropping sequence, Fodder production, Fodder quality, Profitability. Top |