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Pak. J. Bot., 43(2): 921-928, 2011.

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MAIZE AS FODDER UNDER CEREALS BASED ROTATION WITH LEGUME AS CATCH CROP AND MINERAL N

GHULAM HABIB¹, M.F. HASSAN M.F.², M. AKMAL^1*, S. AHMAD¹ AND GHUFRANULLAH²

Abstract: The experiment was conducted to compare Pigeon pea (PP) and Sesbania gentia (SG) legumes as catch crop in a permanent cereal based (wheat-maize) rotation. The residual effect of legumes with or without added fertilizer (N) was studied on subsequent maize crop grown as fodder. The study aimed to evaluate catch crop response as manure or fodder on the following maize. The results showed that SG was higher in crude protein (p<0.01) but lower in crude fiber (p<0.01) as compared to PP. The dry matter response of the treatments was almost similar. Maize fodder yield increased by 12.87% and 25.75% with PP and SG, respectively. Added soil N increased maize dry matter by 41.69%. Crude protein (CP) of maize fodder improved by N (p<0.001) but slightly decreased with PP and SG (p<0.05). Both the PP and SG incorporation as green manure increased maize fodder yield (p<0.05). On the other hand, considerable improvement in soil N was also noted when legumes were introduced as compared to fallow treatment. Contrary to that the green manure and/or harvested fodder did not show any significant changes. Results of the present study demonstrated that fallow legume manuring was beneficial in increasing yield of the subsequent crop in rotation and provided extra cover to the soil from erosion in addition to improving soil fertility status.

*Department of Agronomy, e-mail: akmal_M@hotmail.com

¹KPAgricultural University, Peshawar, Pakistan

²Livestock Research & Development Farm, Surezai, Peshawar, Pakistan