YIELD AND NUTRITIVE VALUE OF CO(BN)5 INFLUENCED BY VARIOUS MANURES AND FERTILIZERS AND ITS IMPACT  ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF CROSSBRED CALVES COMPARED TO CO (CN)4

V.S. Mynavathi; C. Valli; Pasupathi. Karu; S. Gunasekaran; M. Suganthi; R. Murugeswari

YIELD AND NUTRITIVE VALUE OF CO(BN)5 INFLUENCED BY VARIOUS MANURES AND FERTILIZERS AND ITS IMPACT ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF CROSSBRED CALVES COMPARED TO CO (CN)4

2023

A study was conducted to identify the suitable planting material (stem cuttings/ root slips) for propagation of Cumbu Napier Hybrid Grass Co(BN)5 understorey Cocus nucifera with different fertilizers and manures and to examine the nutritive value of the fodder. The experiment had seven treatments replicated thrice, T1 (Stem cuttings for propagation-Control), T2 (Stem cuttings + Recommended dose of fertilizer), T3 (Root slips + Recommended dose of fertilizer), T4  (Stem cuttings + Farm yard manure@10t/ha), T5 (Root slips + Farm yard manure @ 10t/ha), T6  (Stem cuttings + Farm yard manure @10t/ha + Recommended dose of fertilizer) and T7  (Root slips + Farm yard manure @10t/ha + Recommended dose of fertilizer). No significant (P>0.05) variations were observed in the yield irrespective of planting material and manuring. Significantly highest plant height was observed in Root slips + Farm yard manure @10t/ha + Recommended dose of fertilizer (T7), the number of tillers / plant and leaves per tiller, were significantly highest in Stem cuttings + Farm yard manure @10t/ha + Recommended dose of fertilizer (T6), leaves per clump were significantly highest in T6 and T7. No significant variation existed in the fortnightly body weight, average daily gain and dry matter intake of animals fed Cumbu Napier hybrid grass Co(CN)4 Vs Cumbu Napier hybrid grass Co(BN)5. However, Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) in the IVth week was significantly better in Cumbu Napier hybrid grass Co(BN)5 fed cattle. It was concluded that to cultivate Co(BN)5 understorey Cocus nucifera stem cutting with application of farm yard manure and recommended dose of fertilizer was the best practice.

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