Growth, NPK uptake and forage quality of napier bajra hybrid as influenced by mulch and irrigation schedules

A field experiment was conducted at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, India during 2014 and 2015 to study the effect of mulch and irrigation schedules on growth, NPK uptake and quality of napier bajra hybrid (Pennisetum purpureum Pennisetum glaucum). The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications, keeping four mulch levels (no mulch, mulch @ 5 t/ha, 7.5 t/ha and 10 t/ha) in main plot and three irrigation schedules (IW/CPE ratio of 0.8, 1.0 and 1.2) in sub plot. The mulch levels of 10 t/ha and 7.5 t/ha were at par with each other during both years to significantly increase the growth attributes (plant height, tiller count, leaf-stem ratio, leaf area index and PAR), dry fodder yield, NPK uptake and quality parameters viz., moisture content, crude protein, crude fibre, mineral matter, IVDMD of crop over 5 t/ha and no mulch application. The growth, NPK uptake and quality of napier bajra hybrid was significantly improved with scheduling irrigation up to IW/CPE ratio of 1.0 that was at par with higher IW/CPE ratio of 1.2.