Biomass Quality and Yield Response of Fodder Maize (Zea Mays) to Plant Population and Nitrogen Rates in The Saline Soils of Southwestern Coastal Bangladesh

Abstract

Green fodder is considered as an economic source of nutrients over concentrated feeds and plays a significant role in the improvement of livestock productivity, especially for milch animals. Poor health and productivity of livestock in this southwestern coastal region of Bangladesh are mainly constrained by the acute scarcity of forage. Fodder yield and quality are largely influenced by nutrition, plant population, and cutting age. Thus, an experiment was conducted at the farmer's field in the saline soil of southwestern Bangladesh to evaluate the yield and quality response of biomass to nitrogen and the cutting age of maize fodder. The experimental treatment consisted of five nitrogen rates (0, 155, 195, 235 and 275 kg ha-1) and four levels of plant population unit-1 area (124220, 173910, 204970 and 239130 ha-1).Growth parameters and biomass yield were higher with the application of 235 kg N ha-1 and the use of204970 plant population ha-1 separately. The highest ash content was attained at 275 kg N ha-1 and 124220 plant population ha-1 and the highest ether extract content was obtained at 195 kg N ha-1 and 124220 plant population ha-1. The highest crude protein (CP) and crude fibre (CF) content was achieved from the interaction of 275 kg N ha-1 with 124220 plant population ha" . The higher the N rates, the higher the biomass accumulation, which improved the biomass quality and net income. Biomass accumulation and net income were higher with higher plant population unit" areas, but quality declined. The biomass accumulation, CF, and EE were increased in the later cut (80 days) but the CP and ash content were higher in the early cut (50 days). The findings of this study may be concluded that the application of N @ 235-275 kg ha-1 and 204970-239130 plant population ha" with a 65 days cut is suitable for maize fodder in the saline soil of southwestern coastal Bangladesh.