Effect of phosphorus and phosphate solubilizing bacteria on forage yield and quality under agroforestry system

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of pasture type, phosphorus levels and phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) on forage yield and quality under agroforestry system in semi-arid conditions during kharif season of 2011 and 2012 at Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute, Avikanagar. Dry matter accumulation at 60 days after sowing (DAS), crop growth rate (CGR) from 30 to 45 DAS, dry fodder yield (DFY) and total yield of lablab bean (Dolichos lablab L. ex. Sweet) were recorded significantly (P<0.05) higher when lablab bean was sown with cenchrus grass in alternate paired rows. However, protein yield was at a par among the pasture types. Growth parameters of lablab bean viz., fresh and dry weight per plant at 60 DAS, CGR (30–45 DAS), number and dry weight of nodules per plant at 45 DAS and quality parameters viz., leaf and stem N-content, dry fodder yield, total yield, crude protein (CP) content and protein yield increased significantly (P<0.01) with increasing levels of phosphorus from 20 to 60 kg P2 O5/ha. Positive and significant (P<0.05) correlation between protein yield and CP content (r = 0.53, P<0.05) and forage yield (r =0.64, P<0.01) was observed. Total forage yield was significantly (P<0.01) increased by 9.09% and protein yield by 10.42% with PSB inoculation as compared to without inoculation.