Abstract

Field experiment was conducted at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala to find out the potash requirements for guinea grass varieties under varying shade levels. Results of the experiment revealed that lower levels of shade as well as higher levels of potassium had significant positive influence in improving the fodder production of guinea grass. Among the varieties, Hamil registered higher yield compared to Haritha. Lower levels of shade and higher doses of potassium significantly increased growth parameters viz., height, number of tillers, leaf : stem ratio, leaf area index and green fodder yield. Lower levels of shade with higher dose of potassium registered the highest net returns and benefit cost ratio. But, economic yield was obtained in shade intensity up to 50 per cent.

Keywords: Shade intensity, fodder yield, leaf area index, tiller