BELOWGROUND BIOMASS OF TWO FORAGE GRASSES AS INFLUENCED BY NITROGEN LEVELS AND CUTTING FREQUENCIES

摘要

Effect of 4 nitrogen levels viz., 0, 25, 50 and 75 kg/ha and 3 cutting frequencies viz., 45, 75 and 120 days was studied on two forage grasses viz., Perennial Dinanath (Pennisetum pedicellatum) and Trisankar, a trispecific hybrid of (Pennisetum americanum x P. purpureum) x P. squamulatum. Response of N to belowground biomass of both the grasses was significant. N application @ 75 kg/ha resulted in increase in belowground biomass of Perennial Dinanath by 39% and of Trisankar by 44%. The rwsponse of 50kg N/ha was at par with 75 kg N/ha. Root length and root length density showed significant increase over control. The widest cutting frequency viz., 75 days led to highest belowground biomass in Perennial Dinanath (523 kg DM/ha) and in Trisankar (543 kg DM/ha). Root length and root length density showed significant increase at 75 days cutting frequency.