FORAGE PRODUCTION AND QUALITY OF LUCERNE (Medicago sativa L.) UNDER MINERAL POTASSIC FERTILIZATION

Livestock are one of the important components of the different region farming systems in Gujarat region. Fertilizer management affects both the productivity and nutritive value of forage legume crops. The influence of Schoenite in combination with different potassic fertilizers on fodder lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) was evaluated through field experiments at Main Forage Research Station, Anand Agricultural University, Anand on loamy sand soil during rabi season of the year 2019-2020. The plant height, Number of tillers per meter raw length at first and second cut tended to increase with the application of potassic fertilizer through soil and foliar spray. The magnitude of per cent increase in green fodder yield (101.11, 33.24 and 50.08) and dry matter yield (132.07, 67.40 and 79.49) of lucerne was found at the first and second cut as well as in total yield, respectively with response to 25 kg K2O ha-1 through Schoenite + Schoenite spray @1% over the RDF + water spray. The same treatment recorded higher crude protein content and yield. The significant differences in P, K, S, and Mg content and uptake before and after spray by crop were observed due to potassic fertilization.