Yield and economics of oats (Avena sativa L.) as influenced by fertilizer and cutting management at different sowing dates

A field experiment was carried out to study the impact of fertility levels and cutting management on yield and economics of fodder oats at different sowing dates during Rabi seasons of 2009-10 and 2010-11 on silty clay loam soil. The crop sown on September 30 at par with September 20 and produced significantly higher herbage (green fodder) with the superiority of 41.97 and 43.56 percent over October 10 sowing during 2009-10 and 2010-11, respectively. The net returns of (Rs 34463) and B:C of (1.98) were recorded with September 30 sown crop. Application of 150+70+40 kg N:P2O5:K2O ha(-1) markedly increased mean green fodder yield by 7.00 and 19.58 per cent over 125+60+30 and 100+50+20 kg N:P2O5:K2O ha(-1), respectively. Highest mean net returns (Rs. 32856) and B:C (1.82) were registered with highest fertility level. Double cut crop recorded 14.25 and 16.25 per cent increase in the green fodder yield over single cut crop during 2009-10 and 2010-11, respectively. The crop cut twice on December 15 and at 50 per cent flowering realised the highest mean net returns of Rs. 31105 with the B:C of 1.77.