Integrated use of organic and inorganic nutrient sources influences the nutrient content, uptake and nutrient use efficiencies of fodder oats (Avena sativa)

A field experiment was carried out during the winter (rabi) seasons of 201819 and 201920 at Karnal, Haryana (India), to study the residual effect of maize (Zea mays L.) varieties and integrated nutrient-management practices on nutrient content, uptake and nutrient use efficiencies of fodder oats (Avena sativa L.). The experiment was laid out in split-plot design with 3 replications. In main plot, the residual effect of 3 maize varieties (V , African Tall; V , 1 2 J 1006; V , P 3396) on oats and in subplot, 4 nutrient-management practices (N , Control; N , 100% RDF; N , 3 0 1 2 75% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) + plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPR) + Panchagavya spray; N , 3 50% RDF + 25% FYM + PGPR + Panchagavya spray) were studied. Results showed that different maize varieties were found statistically ineffective in producing the residual effect on yield, nutrient content and uptake of fodder oats. Among the nutrient management practices, an application of 75% RDF + PGPR + Panchagavya spray re- sulted in significantly higher green fodder yield at I cut, II cut and total (36.7, 26.4 and 63.1 t/ha, respectively) as compared to the control and 100% RDF. Application of 75% RDF + PGPR + Panchagavya spray and 50% RDF + 25% FYM + PGPR + Panchagavya spray significantly enhanced the nutrient content and uptake of fodder oats over the control. The maximum nutrient-use efficiencies, viz. partial factor productivity (69.6 kg DM/kg NPK ap- plied), agronomic efficiency (26.8 kg DM/kg NPK applied) and recovery efficiency (114.1%) were also found with the application of 75% RDF + PGPR + Panchagavya spray, while the least values of these efficiencies were noted under 100% RDF through chemical fertilizers. Overall, the application of 75% RDF + PGPR + Panchagavya spray may be recommended to enhance the yield, nutrient content, uptake and nutrient-use efficiencies of fodder oats, besides replacing 25% RDF through chemical fertilizers.