Dual purpose barley (Hordeum vulgare) for better remunerations through higher fodder and grain production under different cutting schedules

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the winter (rabi) seasons of 2019–20 and 2020–21 at the research farm of Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana to evaluate the dual purpose barley for higher remunerations through increased production of fodder and grain under different cutting schedules. The experiment was conducted in a split-plot design with 5 fodder cutting management practices, viz. No fodder cut; Fodder cutting at 50–60 DAS (days after sowing) above 5 cm cutting height; Fodder cutting at 50–60 DAS above 10 cm cutting height; Fodder cutting at 60–70 DAS above 5 cm cutting height; Fodder cutting at 60–70 DAS above 10 cm cutting height in main plot and 4 dual purpose barley varieties, viz. ‘BH 393’, ‘BH 946’, ‘RD 2552’ and ‘RD 2715’ under sub-plots, replicated thrice. On the mean basis of 2 years experiment, maximum plant height, tillers/m2 and GFY (green fodder yield) were recorded with fodder cutting at 60–70 DAS irrespective of their cutting heights. Maximum GFY of 8.19 t/ha was found in variety ‘RD 2715’. At grain harvest, maximum effective tillers/m2 (415.2), no. of grains/ear-head (48.11), grain yield (4.82 t/ha) and straw yield (7.43 t/ha) were recorded in fodder cut at 50–60 DAS above 10 cm height. Among the varieties, ‘BH 946’ exhibited maximum effective tillers/m2 (416), test weight (45.51 g), grain yield (5.25 t/ha) and straw yield (7.62 t/ha). Highest benefit cost (B:C) ratio was fetched with the grain production after taking fodder cut at 50–60 DAS above 10 cm height (2.36) and barley variety ‘BH 946’ (2.61) among the tested dual-purpose barley varieties.