Effect of spent-wash based bio-compost on growth and yield of hybrid Bajra-Napier fodder grass

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at the Main Agricultural Research Station, University of Agricultural Sciences,Dharwad during 2019-2020 to ascertain the effect of spent-wash based bio-compost and inorganic fertiliser in randomisedblock design on growth and yield of perennial hybrid Bajra-Napier (COBN-5). The application of bio-compost was basedon nitrogen requirement of the hybrid Bajra-Napier. The results revealed higher plant height, number of tillers, leaf area, dueto the application of spent-wash based bio compost. Yield parameters like fresh biomass, leaf and stem fresh weight werealso in positive correlation with morphological parameters. Physiological traits viz. chlorophyll content (2.89mg g-1fr wt),relative water content (62.57%), brix percentage (3.05 %), membrane injury index (26.75 %), photosynthetic rate (26.08μmoleCO2 cm-2 sec-1), stomatal conductance (0.423 mol H2O m-2s-1), transpiration rate (10.32 mmol H2Om-2s-1) and internal carbondioxide - Ci out (266.98 ppm) were comparable with application of inorganic fertilizer. It was evident from the results thatdependency on inorganic nutrition can be minimized with the replacement of organic fertilisers i.e. spent-wash based bio-compost without affecting the soil health