EFFECT OF SEED RATE AND NITROGEN ON BIOMASS PRODUCTION AND QUALITY OFOAT (AVENA-SATIVA)

A field experiment was conducted on silty clay-loam soil during the wi nter season of 1991-92 and 1992-93 to determine the effect of various seed rates (75, 100, 125 and 150 kg N/ha) and nitrogen levels (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg N/ha) on the quality and biomass production potential o f oat (Avena sativa L.) fodder. An increase in seed rate up to 125 kg/ ha increased the biomass yield with corresponding decrease in crude pr otein. Application of N up to 150 kg/ha significantly increased growth attributes along with the green fodder, dry-matter yield and crude pr otein. A dose of 121.2 kg N ha proved to he an optimum dose. The seed rate 125 kg/ha and N 150 kg/ha gave highest benefit : cost ratio of 3. 37 and 3.85 respectively.