Impact of nutrient management and legume association on agro-qualitative traits of maize forage

Abstract

A two years study pertaining to different agro-qualitative parameters of forage maize grown alone and in association with legumes and different fertilization regimes viz., control (F0), 150 kg N ha-1 (F1), 150-100 kg NP ha-1 (F2) and 150-100-100 kg NPK ha-1 (F3) was conducted at the research area of the Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. The results revealed that maize crop grown in association with cowpea and given fertilizer @ 150-100-100 kg NPK ha-1 produced significantly the highest mixed forage yield of 58.62 t ha-1 on the average. This treatment combination resulted in the increased leaf area index of 7.95 and 10.75 in the two consecutive years of study leading not only to enhanced crop growth rate but also mixed fodder of higher nutritive value as evidenced by its protein contents, compared to other legume intercrop combinations as well as maize alone.