Effect of Nutrient Management on the Land Equivalent Ratio, Yield of Various Quality Parameters, Economics of Oats and Chinese Cabbage in Intercropping

Background: Proximate analysis of fodder crop helps us to design a balanced ration for the livestock. Oat is major fodder crop in North India during the Rabi season. Chinese cabbage can be a potential fodder crop for increasing the quantity as well as nutrient content of the available fodder during the season. The present study was conducted at NDRI research farm for assessing the yield, economics as well as the proximate analysis content advantage in oats and Chinese cabbage intercropping. Methods: A field trial was conducted during rabi season, 2020 at research farm of NDRI, Karnal. It consisted of seven treatments (Oats sole + RDF, Chinese Cabbage sole + RDF, Oats + Chinese Cabbage (1:1) + RDF, Oats + Chinese Cabbage (2:1) + RDF, Oats + Chinese Cabbage (1:2) + RDF, Oats + Chinese Cabbage (2:1) + 75% RDF+ FYM+ PGPR, Oats + Chinese Cabbage (1:2) + 75% RDF + FYM+ PGPR). Result: LER of intercropping was observed highest in the “Oats + Chinese Cabbage (2:1) + 75% RDF+ FYM+ PGPR” which was significantly higher than the other treatments. Yield of various quality parameters like crude protein, ether extract, NDF, ADF and hemicellulose for oats and Chinese cabbage solely were obtained in their sole treatment (Sole Oats+ RDF, Sole Chinese cabbage +RDF respectively) but the total yield of CP was recorded highest in the Oats + Chinese Cabbage (1:2) + 75% RDF+ FYM+ PGPR” and the total yield of remaining quality parameters were reported maximum in the “Oats + Chinese Cabbage (2:1) + 75% RDF+ FYM+ PGPR.” Gross returns (₹ 72022/ha), net returns (₹ 50593/ha) were again reported maximum in the “Oats + Chinese Cabbage (2:1) + 75% RDF+ FYM+ PGPR.”