Abstract

In crop like mesta, stem is the main source of fibre and therefore, fibre yield depends greatly on fresh biomass yield as well as on dry stalk yields of a particular variety at the time of harvesting. At 30 DAS (days after sowing), dry matter accumulation in stem varied significantly with respect to different plant spacing, varieties and nutrient sources. Between the varieties, variety HS-108 had recorded significantly higher dry matter accumulation in stem (0.46 g/plant) than variety AMV-4 (0.29 g/plant). Significantly higher dry matter accumulation in stem was achieved under 45 cm × 10 cm spacing (0.42 g/plant) than 30 cm × 10 cm (0.34 g/plant). Further, application of 5 t of FYM per ha along with 40:20:20 kg NPK per ha fertilizer induced higher dry matter accumulation in stem (0.44 g/plant) compared to 100% N equivalent through FYM (0.32 g/plant). The interaction effects between varieties, plant spacing and nutrient sources were found to be significant. Significantly higher dry matter accumulation in stem (0.71 g/plant) was obtained with variety HS-108 planted at 45 cm × 10 cm compared to variety AMV-4 planted at 30 cm × 10 cm (0.36 g/plant). Significantly highest dry matter accumulation in stem (0.75 g/plant) was observed in the variety HS-108 supplied with 5 t of FYM per ha along with 40:20:20 kg NPK per ha fertilizer than 100% N equivalent through FYM alone in the variety AMV-4 (0.31 g/plant). Application of 5 t of FYM per ha along with 40:20:20 kg NPK per ha fertilizer registered higher dry matter accumulation in stem (0.69 g/plant) compared to 100% N equivalent through FYM (0.37 g/plant).

Key words: Mesta, uptake, nutrient, fibre, biomass, India.