Effect of spacing and nitrogen management on productivity and quality of fodder oat in high ranges of Kerala

A study was undertaken during winter seasons of 2021-2022 to standardize spacing and nitrogen levels to realize optimum productivity of fodder oat. Treatments were laid out in factorial RBD with 9 treatments in 3 replications. Treatments consisted of three levels, each of two factors viz., row spacing at 15, 25 and 35 cm and nitrogen levels 60, 90 and 120 kg ha-1, respectively. The results revealed that wider row spacing of 35 cm recorded higher tiller count (9.22 tillers per hill), whereas higher green fodder, dry matter yields (26.58 and 5.32 t ha-1) and NPK uptake (104.81, 24.47 and 88.32 kg ha-1, respectively) was recorded in narrow row spacing of 15 cm. Nitrogen level of 120 kg N ha-1 recorded the highest GFY (27.69 t ha-1), DMY (5.54 t ha-1) chlorophyll (3.54 mg g-1) and crude protein content (12.54%). It also improved leaf area index, leaf area duration and specific leaf area. The interaction of spacing and nitrogen was significant in some parameters. Spacing of 35 cm with 120 kg N ha-1 recorded the tallest plant (111.19 cm) and a greater number of tillers (9.29 hill-1). In case of GFY and DFY spacing of 15 cm with 120 kg N ha-1 recorded the highest yields of GFY (30.14 t ha-1) and DMY (6.03 tha-1), uptake of nitrogen (120.97 kg ha-1), phosphorus (27.91 kg ha-1) and potassium (100.46 kg ha-1).