Diverse nitrogen fertilization effects on fodder yield and quality of oat

A field experiment was conducted during the rabi season of 2020-21, to assess the effect of diverse nitrogen fertilization on growth, yield and quality of fodder oat. The experiment consisted of seven treatments viz., control (no N); a recommended dose of N (RDN); 50% N through fertilizer + 50% N through FYM; 50% N through fertilizer + 50% N through vermicompost; 50% N through fertilizer + two sprays of nano-urea; two sprays of nano-urea; site-specific nitrogen management (SSNM). Results showed that diverse nitrogen fertilization brought considerable improvement in the growth, productivity and fodder quality of oats. Application of 50% RDN through fertilizer + 50% N through vermicompost produced significantly the highest green (61.1 t/ha) and dry fodder yields (10.19 t/ha), which were at par with all other treatments except two sprays of nano urea and control. The increase in green and dry fodder yield was 92.8 and 87.2% over control. Furthermore, the highest CP content (12.1%) and CP yield (1212 kg/ha) were obtained under SSNM, which was at par with all other treatments except control and two sprays of nano-urea. However, a reverse trend was observed in acid detergent fiber. The study suggested that integrated use of fertilizer and organic manure could be applied in oats to get higher fodder yield and quality.