EFFECTS OF INTERCROPPING, SEEDLING RATE AND FERTILIZER ON FODDER PRODUCTION IN THE LOW LYING AREA OF BANGLADESH

The study was conducted at low lying areas in Pabna Sirajgong districts of Bangladesh. To observe the potentiality of bio-mass production two trials were conducted. In first trial maize intercropped with Khesari taking 15 experimental plots of each size $5m{\times}5m$ were arranged in 5 blocks having homogenous soil characteristics. The study showed that the bio-mass yield of sole maize and sole Khesari were 35.25 t/ha. and 56.80 t/ha. respectively and there was a significant difference (p < 0.01) among them. The results also showed that bio-mass yield of maize and Kherasi was higher ($70.04{\pm}6.25t/ha$, $98.88{\pm}10.77t/ha$ and $80.56{\pm}9.5t/ha$) compared to sole maize and sole Khesari and land equivalent ratio was also lower. For second trial, one hectare of land was divided into 16 experimental plots with 4 replications in each plot. Four levels of urea (0 kg/ha, 30 kg/ha, 45 kg/ha, and 60 kg/ha.) were applied to experimental plot. The seed rates were 98.8 kg/ha (farmer's practice), 86.45 kg/ha, 74.1 kg/ha and 61.75 kg/ha. average bio-mass yield of matikalai at different seed rates along with urea fertilizer ranged from 38.49 t/ha, to 65.35 t/ha. the highest seed rate along with highest fertilizer also correspond to the peak production (65.35 t/ha) and the lowest seed rate (61.75 kg/ha) along with the lowest fertilizer rate (30 kg/ha.) showed lowest production (38.49 t/ha.). Here, it was found that the bio-mass yield of matikalai increased with the incremental amount of seed, indicating significant effect (p < 0.05) of seed rates on the bio-mass yield of matikalai. On the other hand, fertilizer doses in different treatment combinations had significant effect (p < 0.05) on bio-mass yield. Two levels of seed rates at zero level of fertilizer were recommended : 86.45 kg/ha for the resource rich farmers and 61.75 kg/ha for the resource poor farmers.