Shade tolerance, yield and nutritive value of selected forage crops in typical homegarden of central Kerala

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the forage yield, nutritive value and shade tolerance of three cereal fodders viz.,maize, sorghum, and pearl millet in comparison to popularly grown fodder grass hybrid napier in partiallyshaded homegarden and under open conditions with full light, during the lean periods of rabi and summerseason in randomized block design with three replications. Fodder crops in open areas exhibited higher yieldthan in homegarden. In open field, maize recorded significantly higher cumulative green fodder yield, while inhomegarden the yield of maize (57.16 t ha and 73.50 t ha ) and hybrid napier (60.42 t ha in and 73.51 t ha in -1 -1 -1 -1 rabisummer) was comparable. Pearl millet showed moderate performance under shade, whereas sorghum hadvery poor yields. The shade tolerance of fodder grasses in homegarden was in order of hybrid napier > maize >pearl millet > sorghum. Crops in homesteads exhibited higher crude protein and lower crude fibre content,whereas dry matter and ash content was higher in open field. Quality attributes and B:C ratio were better inmaize than other crops. The study indicated that fodder maize, variety African tall could be successfully andcost effectively cultivated in partially shaded homegardens to enhance quality forage production. Maize alsoexhibited comparable yield and better quality than hybrid napier, the conventional grass grown in homegarden.