Effect of biofertilizers and inorganic nutrients management on the productivity and soil properties of setaria (Setaria anceps Stapf.) – white clover(Trifolium repens L.) system under sub-temperate climatic conditions

An experiment was conducted at Fodder Farm of Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh (India) for five years to evaluate the effect of biofertilizers and nutrient management on the productivity and soil properties of setaria grass (Setaria anceps) – white clover(Trifolium repens L.) system under sub-temperate climatic conditions. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with three replications and comprised of seven treatments viz., T1- Control (no use of biofertilizers and NPK), T2- Biofertilizer (Azotobactorin setaria/Rhizobiumin white clover), T3- 50% NPK through inorganic fertilizer, T4- Biofertilizer (Azotobactor in setaria/Rhizobiumin white clover)+50% NPK through inorganic fertilizers, T5- 75% NPK through inorganic fertilizers, T6- Biofertilizers (Azotobactor in setaria/Rhizobiumin white clover)+75% NPK through inorganic fertilizer, T7- 100% NPK through inorganic fertilizer.Application of biofertilizers along with NPK through inorganic fertilizers proved better for sustaining round the year forage production. Significantly higher green and dry fodder yieldsof both setaria and white clover was obtained with combined application of biofertilizers and 75% of recommended NPK through inorganic fertilizers. Application of biofertilizers and 75% of recommended NPK through inorganic fertilizers resulted in better system productivity and economic returns while, application of sole biofertilizers gave maximum benefit cost ratio. Application of 100% of recommended NPK resulted in betterbuildup of available soil nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium while application of biofertilizers with 75% of recommended NPK through inorganic fertilizers improved soil organic carbon, cation exchange capacity and pH over initial values.