On Farm Evaluation of Yield and Quality of Multicut Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) Fodder Through Application of Phosphorus

This investigation was carried out in kharif 2013-14 with five levels of phosphorus fertilizer viz.0 (T1), 40 (T2), 80 (T3), 120 (T4) and 160 (T5) kg P2O5 ha-1 in the fields of 30 numbers of farmers. Significantly higher green fodder yield and dry matter yield were obtained at 120 kg P2O5 ha-1 in all the three cuts as well as in total green fodder yield. Total green fodder yield at 120 kg P2O5 ha-1 was increased by 35.5 %, 20.6 %, 14.7 % and 17 % over the green fodder yield at 0, 40, 80 and 160 kg P2O5 ha-1. Significant difference in CP content was observed in 1st and 2nd cut but in 3rd cut the difference was not significant. However higher crude protein (CP) content was recorded at 120 kg P2O5 ha-1 in all the three cases. Crude fibre (CF) content was decreased significantly with the increased dose of phosphorus in all the three cuts. Effect of phosphorus on total ash (TA) content was found not significant in all the three cuts. Ether extract (EE) and Nitrogen free extract (NFE) were increased significantly with the application of phosphorus in all the three cuts. Based on the above findings it can be concluded that application of phosphorus at the rate 120 kg ha-1 significantly increase the green fodder yield as well as the nutritional values of sorghum.