Maize fodder quality characteristics and yield as affected by potassium application on calcareous sandy clay loam soil

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of K fertilizer on the quality and yield of maize fodder on a calcareous sandy clay loam soil under semiarid conditions of district Faisalabad, Pakistan. Six levels of K i. e. 0, 25, 50, 75, 100 and 125 kg K2O ha(-1) along with 60 kg each of N and P2O5 ha(-1) were applied. The system of layout was randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 3 replications. Crop was harvested after eight weeks of emergence. Fresh and dry fodder yield and quality parameters were determined. Potassium application significantly improved the yield and quality. Green fodder and dry matter yield increased by 31 and 21 %, respectively, over control whereas protein content improved by 32 % over control while other quality characteristics like crude fiber, acid detergent fiber contents (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber contents (NDF) remained non-significant as compared to control. Plant K concentration also increased with increasing K application. The K status of the soil was enhanced by 11 % due to K fertilizer application. So the potassium fertilizer should be applied along with nitrogen and phosphorus to the maize fodder to get the maximum yield of improved quality.