Residual effect of cropping system and nutrient sources on growth, yield and quality of fodder oat (Avena sativa L.)

Residual effects of intercropping in maize-soybean systems on subsequent crop growth, yield and quality are highly significant. This study was conducted to evaluate the influence of maize + soybean intercropping and various nutrient management strategies on fodder oat (Avena sativa L.) production. The experiment, established at Lovely Professional University's agricultural research farm, utilized a split-plot design with three replications. Treatments comprised sole maize, sole soybean and maize-soybean intercrops at different row proportions, each combined with distinct nutrient sources. Results demonstrated that the residual effect of sole soybean as the preceding crop with 100 % RDF produced the most favorable outcomes across all measured parameters. This treatment enhanced plant height by 23.65 %, dry matter accumulation by 44.04 %, fodder quality by 40.0 % and biomass yield by 39.87 %, compared to other treatment combinations. Among nutrient management strategies, alternatives such as 70 % RDF combined with two foliar applications of nano-NPK, homemade NPK and plant extracts proved to be effective supplements to conventional fertilization. Correlation analyses revealed that biomass yield was strongly and positively linked to improvements in fodder oat quality and various crop growth parameters. This study indicates the potential of sustainable intercropping systems with optimized nutrient management to maximize agricultural resource use, reduce dependence on synthetic fertilizers and enhance fodder productivity. These findings support the adoption of more effective and environmentally friendly agricultural practices and contribute valuable insights toward addressing challenges in fodder production as well as soil health.