Influence of varieties and cutting schedules of perennial pasture grasses on soil fertility, nutrients content and uptake, productivity and economics in hot arid conditions of Rajasthan

A field experiment was conducted during 2000-04 on coarse sandy soil having low fertility status to study the manipulation of soil fertility with leys, enhancing fodder productivity with improved varieties, cutting schedules and economics of fodder production. The study showed that soil organic carbon, pH, electrical conductivity and available NPK were not affected significantly either by perennial pastures [Cenchrus (Cenchrus ciliaris L.) or sewan (Lasiurus sindicus Henrard]. Different cutting schedules or their varieties, were improved noticeably over the years compared to their initial levels indicating a positive impact of these pasture grasses on soil fertility status. Nutrients contents in dry fodder of cenchrus and sewan were statistically similar but nitrogen content was significantly higher in half-yearly cutting than annual cutting. Among varieties 'CAZRI 75' of cenchrus and 'CAZRI m 30-5' of sewan were found containing significantly higher nitrogen compared to their respective other varieties. Nutrients (NPK) uptake was recorded significantly higher in sewan than cenchrus, in half yearly cutting than annual cutting than their respective other varieties. Dry fodder production was significantly higher by sewan (29.39 tonnes/ha) than cenchnis (25.69 tonnes/ha) on yearly as well as total basis. Half-yearly cutting schedule produced significantly higher dry fodder yield than annual cutting schedule during initial two years but reverse trend was observed in latter years and both were found statistically similar on total basis. Among varieties 'CAZRI 75' (29.62 tonnes/ha) of cenchrus and 'CAZRI m 30-5' (32.75 tonnes/ha) of sewan gave significantly higher dry fodder yield compared to their respective other varieties on yearly and total basis. Higher gross and net returns were recorded in sewan grass than the cenchrus grass, half-yearly cutting schedule than annual cutting schedule, and in 'CAZRI 75' of cenchrus, and 'CAZRI in 30-5', of sewan.