Effect of irrigation, nitrogen and bio-fertilizer inoculation on N, P and K content and uptake of forage oat (Avena sativa L.)

The field experiment was conducted on oat during rabi seasons of 2003-04 and 2004-05 at Anand with three irrigation levels (0.7, 0.9 and 1.1 IW: CPE ratio), three nitrogen levels (40, 80 and 120 kg N/ha) and two bio-fertilizer treatments (no inoculation and Azotobacter inoculation). The results revealed that successive increase in irrigation frequency increased the nutrient uptake and forage yield of oat and frequent irrigations at 1.1 IW : CPE ratio recorded significantly higher N uptake, P and K contents and uptake as well as the green forage and dry matter yields. Likewise, successive increase in nitrogen application increased the nutrient uptake and the forage yield of oat. Application of 120 kg N/ha gave significantly higher N, P and K uptake as well as the green forage and dry matter yields of oat in total of two cuts. Inoculation with Azotobacter also enhanced the uptake of nutrients and resulted in higher forage production as compared to no bio-fertilizer inoculation.