BIOMASS YIELD ENHANCEMENT OF DHAINCHA (SESBANIA SPECIES) THROUGH CULTURAL PRACTICES

Three separate field experiments were conducted to exploit biomass yield potential of dhaincha (Sesbania species) by different cultural practices. A total of six accessions from three Sesbania species, viz. S. bispinosa (#05, 71, 77 and 109), S. cannabina (#28) and S. sesban (#81), were used as experimental materials. Experimental treatments were population densities, viz. 180, 240 and 300 plants m-2; sowing dates, viz. 30 April, 15 May, 30 May and 15 June, and fertilizer doses, viz. 0 (without N/control), 10, 20 and 30 kg N ha-1. All the experiments were designed following randomized complete block design with three replications. Experiments on population density and sowing dates were conducted in control condition (without any fertilizer application). The N-fertilizer was applied as top dress at 30 days after sowing (DAS) and crops were harvested at 60 DAS. The maximum biomass (10.07 t ha-1) was obtained from 240 plants m-2. At 30 April sowing, plants produced the tallest height (199.69 cm), widest base diameter (1.02 cm), highest fresh weight (62.07 t ha-1) and biomass yield (14.73 t ha-1). There were no significant differences in biomass yield and yield contributing descriptors between 20 and 30 kg N ha-1. Among the species, S. bispinosa was the best performer in terms of biomass yield and yield contributing descriptors. It may be concluded that S. bispinosa (accession #71) could be cultivated with the population density 240 plants m-2, at 30 April, without any fertilizer application. In case of later sowing/cultivation, the 20 kg N ha-1 could be applied for the maximization of biomass yield.