Effect of foliar spray of potash on economic seed production of berseem

Abstract

Fodder is fuel of livestock contributing 53.21% for agriculture and 11.4 % to GDP of the country. Availability of fodder to milk animals is very low resulting very poor milk production per animal. Low fodder availabilities due to non-availability of quality seed in country in berseem because seed yield of berseem is very low. Present study reveals that foliar application of potash has increased per acre seed production. The concentration of potash solutions were used that were 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3 glit^-1 along with basal dose 23-80-50 (NPK kg ha^-1). Two foliar applications were applied, 1^st application before the flowering and the 2^nd at the flowering initiation stage. The concentration of potash solutions as foliar produces seed yield of 631.7, 639.4, 644.3, 657.1, 653.9, 641.2 and 637.6 kg ha^-1 in year 2009-10 while next year in 2010-11 produces 651.5, 653.6, 660.5, 686.4, 677.6, 659.9 and 652.4 kg ha^-1 respectively which were slightly higher than year 2009-10. No of seeds per capsule in potash dose of 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3 glit^-1 remained 55.32, 57.10, 58.82, 62.6, 62.2, 57.8 and 55.5 in year 2009-10 while in next year 57.3, 58.8, 60.1. 64.3, 60.7, 58.1 and 57.7 respectively. Overall 1.5 glit^-1 solution of potash applied as foliar, produces 4.02 % higher seed yield, 13.20 % higher no of seeds per pod compared to control in year 2009-10 while produces 5.36 % higher seed yield and 5.93 % higher no of seeds per pod as compared to control in year 2010-11. The results confirmed that the practice of foliar potash nutrition when used as supplement is beneficial and economical for berseem seed production.