Seasonal effects on fodder yield and quality in Cenchrus species under semi-arid climate

Cenchrus species arc predominant pasture grasses of India and fodder and seed production is traditionally taken during monsoon as rainfed crop. In present investigation besides monsoon, observations were also recorded during autumn and spring season for fodder and seed production for three years (2014-17). Experimental material consisted of seven genotypes of C. ciliaris and C. setigerus each. Combined analysis of variance revealed significant differences for genotype, season and their interactions for fodder and seed yield and its attributing traits. High fodder yield and tiller height were observed during monsoon while, high seed yield and more tillers/m row length were observed during spring in both the species. In C. ciliaris fodder yield ranging from 11.5 (autumn) to 51.0 q/ha (monsoon) and highest annual yield was given by IG 67-365 followed by CAZRI-75. Seed yield was higher during spring (117.0 kg/ha) and lowest during autumn (47.8 kg/ha) and highest annual seed yield was produced by IG 67-3833 followed by IG 96-414. In C. setigerus fodder yield ranging from 9.8 (autumn) to 46.3 q/ha (monsoon) and highest annual yield was given by IG 96-706 followed by IG 96-593. Seed yield was higher during spring (102.3 kg/ha) and lowest during autumn (65.3 kg/ha) and highest annual seed yield was produced by IG 97-432 followed by IG 96-401. Crude protein and neutral detergent fiber content also significantly differed among the season sranging from 5.6 (monsoon) to 8.0% (spring) and 74.0 (autumn) to 79.9% (monsoon), respectively in both the species.