Abstract

The fodder yield and quality from monocrop of hedge lucerne (Desmanthus virgatus) was compared with its intercrop with guinea grass (hamil variety) in 1:2 ratio in the year 1987-88 under three irrigation conditions: 1) Weekly irrigation, 2) Fortnightly irrigation, 3) No irrigation (rainfed crop). The annual fresh yields of the monocrop under three conditions were 90.1, 77.76, 30.87 t/ha and for intercrop 249.4, 212.23 and 70.87 t/ha respectively. The cost of production of the green monocrop was Rs.296, 317, 386 and for the intercrop Rs.120, 131 and 195 per tonne respectively. The dry matter content varied from 25.74 to 26.97% for monocrop and 18.45 to 21.11% for the intercrop. Crude protein content on D M basis ranged from 22.63 to 24.20% and 13.12 to 13.80% respectively. With reduction in irrigation source, the returns per/ha reduced considerably. The intercrop was more economical than the single crop though both cropping systems were profitable.

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