Effect of conservation tillage practices on growth attributes of different fodder crops and soil moisture depletion

A field experiment was conducted at Central Research Farm, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, West Bengal, India during summer season of 2016 and 2017to find out effects of various tillage practices on growth and yield of different fodder crops and soil moisture depletion. The experiment was framed in split plot design comprising 3 tillage practices (zero, minimum and conventional tillage) in main plot and 4 fodder crops (maize, sorghum, rice bean and cowpea) in sub plot, replicated thrice. Pooled data revealed that zero tillage significantly performed well in ensuring best growth of all the fodder crops over others. However, crops showed variable response among each other regarding growth attributes due to its differential genetic makeup and morphological features. Accordingly, green forage yield also varied. Soil moisture depletion was also found to be low when rice bean was grown under zero tillage practice. Overall, the study confirms the efficacy of conservation tillage (zero tillage and/or minimum tillage) on growth of these fodder crops and soil moisture conservation in this region and agro-climatic condition over conventional tillage.