Amelioration of forage production in autumn planted sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum)

A field experiment was conducted during 1992-93 and 1993-94 to explore the possibility of forage production in autumn-planted sugarcane (Saccharum sp.) on sandy clay-loam soil. Berseem [Cymopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taubert] as an intercrop did not affect cane yields significantly for both the years whereas yield of plant cane was affected significantly on account of intercropping with lucerne and oat (A vena sativa L.), ratoon yield was not affected by various intercropping systems. Maximum cane yield was obtained under sole sugarcane followed by sugarcane intercropped with berseem lucerne and oat, for both plant and ratoon crops. In case of nitrogen levels, optimum level (150 kg N/ha) showed the superiority and gave significantly higher yields over sub-optimum level (100 ks N/ha). Green fodder and dry-matter yields under berseem were significantly higher over lucerne and oat. Optimum nitrogen level yielded significantly higher over sub-optimum level of nitrogen. Chemical properties of soil were also improved at the expiry of the experiment over initial status of soil.