Performance of Planting Methods and Sett Treatments on Quality, Nutrient Uptake and Economics of Bajra Napier Hybrid Grass (Pennisetum glaucum L. X P. purpureum schumach)

A field experiment to assess the effect of planting methods and sett treatments on quality, nutrient uptake and economics of bajra napier hybrid grass CO (BN) 5 was conducted during 2018-2019 at the Eastern block farm of the Department of Agronomy, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University – Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. The experimental field was laid out in factorial randomized block design. The main plots were vertical planting (M1) and horizontal planting (M2) and sub-plots were 13 sett treatments. The results on some quality parameters viz., crude protein, crude fibre, crude fat, total ash contents (%), showed non-significant difference on planting methods, sett treatments and their interaction. Among planting methods, vertical planting had registered higher crude protein yield of 1.23 t ha-1cut-1, nitrogen uptake (151 kg ha-1cut-1), phosphorus uptake (23.4 kg ha-1cut-1) and potassium uptake (87.7 kg ha-1cut-1). Among sett treatments, water soaking for 12 hours and 24 hours incubation (S1) significantly registered higher crude protein yield (1.78 t ha-1cut-1), nitrogen uptake (186.8 kg ha-1cut-1), phosphorus uptake (31.9 kg ha-1cut-1) and potassium uptake (108.4 kg ha-1cut-1). In two planting methods, low cost of cultivation ($ 629 ha-1), higher gross return ($ 1227 ha-1), net return ($ 598 ha-1) and benefit cost ratio (1.98) were registered with vertical planting (M1). Similarly, among sett treatments, water soaking for 12 hours and 24 hours incubation (S1) recorded lower cost of cultivation ($ 563 ha-1), higher gross return ($ 1698 ha-1), net return ($ 1135 ha-1) and benefit cost ratio (3.02). With this, it can be concluded that for planting method, vertical planting (M1), and for sett treatment, water soaking for 12 hours and 24 hours incubation (S1) are the recommended practices for achieving better quality, nutrient uptake and economics from bajra napier hybrid grass.