Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Strategies for Higher Nutrient Use Efficiency and Productivity in Forage Crops

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Nutrient Use Efficiency: from Basics to Advances

Abstract

Adequate supply of quality forage is essential for sustainable livestock production and productivity. There is a net deficit of 35.6 % green fodder and 10.95 % dry fodder in India at present. This gap in forage supply can effectively be reduced through integrated crop management practices with greater emphasis on nutrient management. However, nutrient management is specific and dynamic in nature in forage crops viz-a-viz grain crops due to factors such as seasonality, perenniality, fodder as end product and multicut behaviour. High-intensity cropping has led to the multi-nutrient deficiencies in forage-based cropping systems. Area-specific nutrient management studies involving NPK along with S, Zn, B and Mo has been attempted to correct the deficiency and balancing the nutrient for quality fodder and livestock health. This chapter thoroughly reviews and discusses the nutrient management strategies in annual and perennial cultivated forage crops, range grasses and legumes, forage-based intercropping and cropping systems and rotations. Integration of secondary and micronutrients has been considered for increased quality biomass production. Application of 40 kg S/ha in sorghum shows significant increase in the Zn, Fe, Cu and cellulose content while decrease in NDF and ADF content of fodder. The efficiency of fertilizer N, P, K, S and micronutrients is reported as 50–60, 15–20, 60–80, 8–12 and 5 %, respectively, in most crops. The nutrient use efficiency can be increased further in forage crop-based cropping system by adopting conservation agriculture, balanced nutrient management, use of biological fertilizers and synergizing the cropping system approaches.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Acharya CL, Sharma AR (2008) Integrated input management for improving nitrogen-use efficiency and crop productivity. Indian J Fertil 4(2):33–40, 43–50

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Agrawal RK, Niranjan KP, Rai SK (2007) Evaluation of perennial grasses based cropping system for prolonging forage productivity under semi-arid rainfed situation. Range Manag Agrofor 28(2B):386–387

    Google Scholar 

  • Angas P, Lampurlanes J, Cantero MC (2006) Tillage and N fertilization: effects on N dynamics and barley yield under semiarid Mediterranean conditions. Soil Tillage Res 87(1):59–71

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aulakh MS, Malhi SS (2005) Interactions of nitrogen with other nutrients and water: effect on crop yield and quality, nutrient-use efficiency, carbon sequestration and environmental pollution. Adv Agron 86:341–409

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chellamuthu V, Khan AKF, Malarvizhi P (2000) Studies on the effect of inorganic and biofertilizers on Bajra-Napier hybrid grass. Range Manag Agrofor 21:135–138

    Google Scholar 

  • Choudhary MA, Mushtaq A, Gill M, Kahlown A, Hobbs PR (2002) Evaluation of resource conservation technologies in ricewheat system of Pakistan. In: Rice-wheat consortium paper series 14, New Delhi, India. Rice–wheat Consortium for the Indo-Gangetic Plains, p 148

    Google Scholar 

  • Dabadghao PM, Chaturvedi RB, Das RB, Debroy R, Marwaha SP (1965) Response of some promising desert grasses to fertilizer treatments. Ann Arid Zone 4:120–135

    Google Scholar 

  • Das SK, Bhatt RK, Yadava RB, Suresh G, Kareemulla K, Rai AK, Mojumder AB, Pathak PS, Singh DK, Singh MK (2007) Effect of fly ash application on forage productivity, nutrient content and physiology of sorghum- cowpea intercrops. Range Manag Agrofor 28(2):406–408

    Google Scholar 

  • Fudao Z, Rutang W, Qiang X, Yajun W, Jianfeng Z (2006) Effects of slow/controlled release fertilizer cemented by nano materials on biology. II. Effects of slow/controlled release fertilizer cemented and coated by nano materials on plants. Nanoscience 11(1):18–26

    Google Scholar 

  • Gangwar KS, Niranjan KP (1991) Effect of organic manures and inorganic fertilizers on rainfed fodder sorghum (Sorghum bicolor). Indian J Agric Sci 61(3):193–194

    Google Scholar 

  • Ghosh PK, Bandyopadhyay KK, Wanjari RH, Manna MC, Misra AK, Mohanty M, Rao AS (2007) Legume effect for enhancing productivity and nutrient use-efficiency in major cropping systems – an Indian perspective: a review. J Sustain Agric 30(1):61–86

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gill AS, Tripathi SN, Raut MS, Gangwar KS (1986) Sulphur fertilization in forage crops. Paper presented at the National seminar in advances in forage agronomy and future strategy for increasing biomass production held at Jhansi during October 6–7, 1986

    Google Scholar 

  • Hazra CR (1992) Fertilizer use in forage, pasture and grassland production. In: Tandon HLS (ed) Non-traditional sectors for fertilizer use. FDCO, New Delhi, pp 30–47

    Google Scholar 

  • Hazra CR, Tripathi SB (1989) Soil properties and forages yield of sweet clover as influenced by phosphate application under agroforestry. Forage Res 15(I):69–78

    Google Scholar 

  • Hazra CR, Tripathi SB (1994) Effect of nitrogen fertilization to Anjan grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) with and without pasture legumes in silvipasture. Forage Res 20:287–290

    Google Scholar 

  • Hegde DM, Sudhakara Babu SN (2004). Role of balanced fertilization in improving crop yield and quality. Fertil News 49(12):103–110, 113–114, 131

    Google Scholar 

  • Hong D, Zhang Y (2006) Effect of Gel-based controlled release fertilizers on crop yield and nutrient-use efficiency. In: 18th world congress of soil science, held during 9–15 July, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

    Google Scholar 

  • Horwath W, Kabir Z, Reed K, Kaffka S, Miyao G, Kent (2006) Long-term assessment of N use and loss in irrigated organic, low-input and conventional cropping systems. In: 18th world congress of soil science, held during 9–15 July, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

    Google Scholar 

  • Hu Z, Kartik C, Domenico G, Barth FS (2003) Nitrification inhibition by ethylenediamine- based chelating agents. Environ Eng Sci 20(3):219–228

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jayanthi C, Malarvizhi P, Khan AKF, Chinnusamy C (2002) Integrated nutrient management in forage oat (Avena sativa). Indian J Agron 47(1):130–133

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanodia KC (1995) Forage production from degraded land in tropical environment. In: Hazra CR, Misri BK (eds) New vistas in forage production. IGFRI, Jhansi, pp 73–96

    Google Scholar 

  • Kumar S, Dhar S (2006) Influence of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients on forage productivity and economics of oat (Avena sativa L.). Ann Agric Res 27(3):205–209

    Google Scholar 

  • Kumar S, Faruqui SA (2010) Forage production technologies for different agro-ecological regions, Tech. Pub. No. 01/2010. AICRP on Forage Crops, IGFRI, Jhansi, p 64

    Google Scholar 

  • Kumar S, Rawat CR, Dhar S, Rai SK (2005) Dry matter accumulation, nutrient uptake and changes in soil fertility status as influenced by different organic and inorganic sources of nutrients to forage sorghum (Sorghum bicolor). Indian J Agric Sci 75(6):340–342

    Google Scholar 

  • Kumar S, Roy AK, Faruqui SA (2007) Performance of Sehima nervosum genotypes under different fertility levels and cutting intervals in semiarid region. Range Manag Agrofor 28(2):375–376

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu LJ, Xu W, Tang C, Wang ZQ, Yang JC (2005) Effect of indigenous nitrogen supply of soil on the grain yield and fertilizer-N use efficiency in rice. Rice Sci 12:267–274

    Google Scholar 

  • López-Bellido RJ, López-Bellido L (2001) Efficiency of nitrogen in wheat under Mediterranean conditions: effect of tillage, crop rotation and N fertilization. Field Crops Res 71(1):31–46

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Makumba W, Janssen B, Oenema O, Akinnifesi FK (2006) Influence of application of Gliricidia prunings as a source of N on the performance for maize. Exp Agric 42(1):51–63

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Malhi SS, Haserlein DG, Pauly DG, Jhonston AM (2002) Improving fertilizer phosphorus use efficiency. Better Crops 86(4):8–9

    Google Scholar 

  • Mangat GS (2004) Relative efficiency of NFL [National Fertilizers Limited] – neem coated urea and urea for rice. Fertil News 49(2):63–64

    Google Scholar 

  • Mannikar ND (1980) Fertilizer use efficiency in relation to fodder crops. Paper presented in seminar “On Maximum Fertilizer Use Efficiency”, Ministry of Agriculture, FAO, Norway, New Delhi, 15–19 Sept

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin DZ (2006) Innovations for Improving productivity and nutrient-use efficiency: no-till grain cropping systems of South America. In: 18th world congress of soil science, held during 9–15 July, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

    Google Scholar 

  • Marwah BC, Kanwar BS, Tripathi BR (1981) Direct and residual effect of Mussoorie rock phosphate related to crop science in acid soil. J Indian Soc Soil Sci 29:349–355

    Google Scholar 

  • Meena LR, Mann JS (2006) Strategic nutrient supplementation in berseem for higher biomass productivity and economic return under semiarid conditions. Range Manag Agrofor 27(1):40–43

    Google Scholar 

  • Meena LR, Mann JS, Meena KR (2011) Performance evaluation of cowpea and Cenchrus setigerous intercropping and nitrogen supplementation through organic and inorganic sources in Aonla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.) based horti – pasture system. Range Manag Agrofor 32(1):33–39

    Google Scholar 

  • Menhi L, Tripathi SN (1987) Role of fertilizer in production of forage and fodder crops: gaps and future needs. Fertil News 32(12):77–83

    Google Scholar 

  • Minhas PS, Gill AS (1984) Forage production in sorghum-oats rotation as effected by tillage and methods of fertilizer application under rainfed conditions. Int J Trop Agric 2(3):245–250

    Google Scholar 

  • Nanjundappa G, Manure GR, Badiger MK (1994) Yield and uptake of fodder maize (Zea mays) as influenced by nitrogen and potassium. Indian J Agron 39(3):473–475

    Google Scholar 

  • Niranjan KP, Burman D, Arya AL, Agrawal RK, Dhar S (2004) Influence of nitrogen and phosphate levels on forage production of Pennisetum trispecific hybrid and Stylosanthes hamata. Range Manag Agrofor 25(2):98–101

    Google Scholar 

  • Ortega R (2006) Increasing nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer- use efficiency by using the nitrification inhibitor 3, 4- dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP) in Chile. In: 18th world congress of soil science, held during 9–15 July, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

    Google Scholar 

  • Pahwa MR (1995) Biofertiliser for nutrient economy and forage production. In: Singh RP (ed) Forage production and utilization. IGFRI, Jhansi

    Google Scholar 

  • Pal SS, Jat ML, Subba Rao AVM (2003) Laser land levelling for improving water productivity in rice-wheat system. PDCSR Newsletter, Modipuram

    Google Scholar 

  • Patel P, Kotecha AV (2007) Effect of phosphorus and potassium on fodder production, quality and nutrient uptake of Lucerne. Range Manag Agrofor 28(2):411–413

    Google Scholar 

  • Patel P, Kotecha AV (2008) Influence of P and S nutrition on yield and quality of forage Sorghum. Range Manag Agrofor 29(1):53–57

    Google Scholar 

  • Patil SL, Sheelavantar MN (2006) Soil water conservation and yield of winter sorghum as influenced by tillage, organic materials and nitrogen fertilizer in semi arid tropical India. Soil Tillage Res 89(2):246–257

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prasad NK (2002) Fifty years of forage & agroforestry research. Directorate of Research, Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, p 53

    Google Scholar 

  • Prasad LK, Mukherjee SK (1987) Effect of nitrogen and phosphorous on the herbage yield of stylo and stylo grass association. Forage Res 13(1):45–48

    Google Scholar 

  • Prasad R, Sharma SN, Singh S, Saxena VS, Shivay YS (2001) Pusa neem emulsion as an ecofriendly coating agent for urea quality and efficiency. Fertil News 46(7):73–74

    Google Scholar 

  • Premi OP, Sood BR (1999) Forage yield and seasonal distribution as influenced by the introduction of improved grass, legume and tree components. Range Manag Agrofor 20(2):115–119

    Google Scholar 

  • Purakayastha TJ, Katyal JC (1998) Evaluation of compacted urea fertilizers with acid and non-acid producing chemical additives in three soils varying in pH and cation exchange capacity. I. NH3 volatilization. Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst 51:107–115

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Puri KP, Tiwana US (2005) Response of pearl millet varieties to nitrogen levels under irrigated conditions. Range Manag Agrofor 26(2):124–126

    Google Scholar 

  • Rai P (1990) Effect of row spacing on productivity of Anjan grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) with Caribbean stylo under different level of phosphorus. Ann Arid Zone 29(1):29–33

    Google Scholar 

  • Rai P, Kanodia KC (1981) Response of Setaria sphacelata nitrogen and phosphorus under rainfed conditions. Indian J Agron 26(2):205–206

    Google Scholar 

  • Rathore SS, Bohra HC, Bhati TK (1998) Forage and protein yield in Cenchrus ciliaris. Range Manag Agrofor 19:29–31

    Google Scholar 

  • Rawat CR, Hazra CR (1990) Herbage productivity from subabul (lucerne leucaphala) based agroforestry system under limited irrigation. Forage Res 16(1):31–37

    Google Scholar 

  • Rawat CR, Kumar S, Arya ON (1999) Effect of sulphur fertilization on productivity of fodder oats. Forage Res 25(2):145–147

    Google Scholar 

  • Sakonnakhon SPN, Toomsan B, Cadisch G, Baggs EM, Vityakon P, Limpinuntana V, Jogloy S, Patanothai A (2005) Dry season groundnut stover management practices determine nitrogen cycling efficiency and subsequent maize yields. Plant Soil 272(1/2):183–199

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sharma KC, Agrawal RK (2003a) Effect of chemical fertilizers and vermicompost on the productivity and economics of forage sorghum and their residual effects on oat. Range Manag Agrofor 24(2):127–131

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharma KC, Agrawal RK (2003b) Effect of phosphate and phosphate solubilizing bacteria on the productivity and economics of Egyptian clover (Trifolium alexandrinum). Range Manag Agrofor 24(1):49–52

    Google Scholar 

  • Shukla NP, Lal M (1994) Response of oat (Avena sativa) to nitrogen in relation to moisture conservation techniques under restricted irrigations. Indian J Agron 39(2):229–232

    Google Scholar 

  • Shukla NP, Lal M, Lal R (1973) A note on the effect of soil moisture stress on HCN content of MP Chari (Sorghum bicolor). Indian J Agric Sci 43:977–979

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh KC (1992) Grassland and pasture development in the arid regions of Rajasthan. In: Kaplarkar AS, Joshi DC, Sharma KD (eds) Rehabilitation of degraded arid ecosystems. Scientific Publishers, Jodhpur, pp 121–126

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh KA (1999) Response of promising forage grasses to nitrogen. Indian J Agron 44(2):419–423

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh R (2002) Effect of integrated nutrient management in cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba)-wheat (Triticum aestivum) cropping system under western Rajasthan condition. Indian J Agron 47(1):41–45

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh KA, Rai P (1984) Response of forage Panicum species to nitrogen fertilization on semi-arid lands. Indian J Agric Sci 54(5):382–386

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh D, Mannikar ND, Srivas NC (1979) Comparative performance of indigenous rock phosphates and super phosphate in forage legume cropping pattern. J Indian Soc Soil Sci 27(2):170–173

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh Y, Singh B, Ladha JK, Gupta R, Pannu R (2006) Tillage and residue management effects on yield and nitrogen-use efficiency in wheat following rice in the Indo-Gangetic plains of India. In: 18th world congress of soil science, held during 9–15 July, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

    Google Scholar 

  • Sood BR, Sharma VK, Kumar P (1994) Performance of some improved grass cultivars under tree canopy and open grassland of Kangra valley. In: International conference on sustainable development of degraded land through agroforestry in Asia and Pacific, New Delhi, pp 700–704

    Google Scholar 

  • Subbarao GV (2006) Biological nitrification inhibition (BNI): is it a widespread phenomenon? Plant Soil 294(1–2):5–18

    Google Scholar 

  • Tripathi SB, Hazra CR (1986) Effect of P from different sources on the herbage yield of seed clover and soil properties. J Indian Soc Soil Sci 7(11):809–814

    Google Scholar 

  • Tripathi SB, Mannikar ND (1985) Forage production of berseem in acid soils in relation to P fertilization. Forage Res 11(2):127–131

    Google Scholar 

  • Tripathi SB, Tripathi SN (2001) Sulphur in soils and its effect on yield and quality of fodder oats in sole and intercropping system. Range Manag Agrofor 22(1):20–27

    Google Scholar 

  • Tripathi SB, Mannikar ND, Hazra CR (1989) Effect of molybdenum and phosphate on berseem and residual effect on fodder maize in acid soil. J Indian Soc Soil Sci 37(1):200–201

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tripathi SB, Hazra CR, Srivas NC (1991) Effect of N sources with and without phosphorus on oats. Indian J Agric Res 25(2):78–84

    Google Scholar 

  • Tripathi SB, Singh RS, Tripathi RK (1992) Effect of S fertilization on quality constituents of fodder sorghum cv. MP. Chari. Forage Res 18:9–14

    Google Scholar 

  • Tripathi SB, Singh RS, Tripathi RK (1993) Influence of fertilizer sulphur on fodder quality of summer cowpea (Vigna sinensis L.). Forage Res 19:205–211

    Google Scholar 

  • Tripathi SB, Pahwa MR, Singh A, Patra AK (2004) Effect of Nitrogen and potassium fertilization on herbage yield of Cenchrus ciliaris + Stylosanthes hamata mixed pasture and soil fertility. Range Manag Agrofor 25(2):92–97

    Google Scholar 

  • Tripathi SB, Tripathi SN, Singh KK (2007) Influence of sulphur and micronutrients application on yield and quality of fodder sorghum grown with and without FYM. Range Manag Agrofor 28:162–164

    Google Scholar 

  • Verma SS, Singh N, Joshi YP, Deorari V (2005) Effect of nitrogen and zinc on growth characters, herbage yield, nutrient uptake and quality of fodder sorghum (Sorghum bicolor). Indian J Agron 50(2):167–169

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wiens MJ, Entz MH, Martin RC, Hammermeister AM (2006) Agronomic benefits of alfalfa mulch applied to organically managed spring wheat. Can J Plant Sci 86(1):121–131

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yadav PC, Sadhu AC, Swarnkar PK (2007) Yield and quality of forage sorghum (Sorghum sudanense) as influenced by the integrated N management. Indian J Agron 52(4):330–334

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi, 284003, UP, India

    P. K. Ghosh, D. R. Palsaniya, A. K. Rai & Sunil Kumar

Authors
  1. P. K. Ghosh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. D. R. Palsaniya
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. A. K. Rai
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Sunil Kumar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to P. K. Ghosh .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India

    Amitava Rakshit

  2. Mycology and Plant Pathology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India

    Harikesh Bahadur Singh

  3. Department of Agronomy, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India

    Avijit Sen

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2015 Springer India

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Ghosh, P.K., Palsaniya, D.R., Rai, A.K., Kumar, S. (2015). Strategies for Higher Nutrient Use Efficiency and Productivity in Forage Crops. In: Rakshit, A., Singh, H.B., Sen, A. (eds) Nutrient Use Efficiency: from Basics to Advances. Springer, New Delhi. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-81-322-2169-2_21

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation