Enhancing crop-livestock systems: Unveiling the impact of leaf stripping on maize hybrid yield in Sundarbazar-Lamjung, Nepal
In local maize agro-ecosystems in Nepal leaf stripping is, historically, practiced as a source of fodder for livestock. However, its effects on hybrid maize have not been studied. The aim of this study was to determine how defoliation below the cob affects the grain and fodder production of hybrid m...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Kassel University Press
2024-03-01
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| Series: | Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development in the Tropics and Subtropics |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.jarts.info/index.php/jarts/article/view/202402239640/1112 |
| _version_ | 1797245056573243392 |
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| author | Giri Raj Paudel Rajan Thapa |
| author_facet | Giri Raj Paudel Rajan Thapa |
| author_sort | Giri Raj Paudel |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In local maize agro-ecosystems in Nepal leaf stripping is, historically, practiced as a source of fodder for livestock. However, its effects on hybrid maize have not been studied. The aim of this study was to determine how defoliation below the cob affects the grain and fodder production of hybrid maize and what value the stripped leaves have as fodder for ruminants. Seven hybrid maize cultivars were evaluated for their response to leaf stripping in a randomized complete block design with three replications in Sundarbazar, Lamjung, Nepal. Evaluation of phenological parameters, agronomic factors, cob properties, and grain yield revealed significant cultivar-related differences. While leaf stripping at grain silking stage had little or no impact on yield characteristics, the outcomes confirmed the significance of cultivar selection for the best grain and stover characteristics. Leaf stripping can be a clever way to increase ruminant's feed availability while maintaining grain output. The results of the study support the integration of leaf stripping as a sustainable management technique within crop-livestock systems, particularly in comparable agroecological zones. These findings provide smallholder farmers with useful advice for the use of green leaves as fodder during the grain silking stage of hybrid maize-based agricultural systems. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T19:20:50Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-7c25694b377b418c8a4b60a4ab7cbe0f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1612-9830 2363-6033 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T19:20:50Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | Kassel University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development in the Tropics and Subtropics |
| spelling | doaj.art-7c25694b377b418c8a4b60a4ab7cbe0f2024-03-25T21:03:55ZengKassel University PressJournal of Agriculture and Rural Development in the Tropics and Subtropics1612-98302363-60332024-03-0112515762https://doi.org/10.17170/kobra-202402239640Enhancing crop-livestock systems: Unveiling the impact of leaf stripping on maize hybrid yield in Sundarbazar-Lamjung, NepalGiri Raj Paudel0Rajan Thapa1Tribhuvan University Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Lamjung Campus, NepalTribhuvan University Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Lamjung Campus, NepalIn local maize agro-ecosystems in Nepal leaf stripping is, historically, practiced as a source of fodder for livestock. However, its effects on hybrid maize have not been studied. The aim of this study was to determine how defoliation below the cob affects the grain and fodder production of hybrid maize and what value the stripped leaves have as fodder for ruminants. Seven hybrid maize cultivars were evaluated for their response to leaf stripping in a randomized complete block design with three replications in Sundarbazar, Lamjung, Nepal. Evaluation of phenological parameters, agronomic factors, cob properties, and grain yield revealed significant cultivar-related differences. While leaf stripping at grain silking stage had little or no impact on yield characteristics, the outcomes confirmed the significance of cultivar selection for the best grain and stover characteristics. Leaf stripping can be a clever way to increase ruminant's feed availability while maintaining grain output. The results of the study support the integration of leaf stripping as a sustainable management technique within crop-livestock systems, particularly in comparable agroecological zones. These findings provide smallholder farmers with useful advice for the use of green leaves as fodder during the grain silking stage of hybrid maize-based agricultural systems.https://www.jarts.info/index.php/jarts/article/view/202402239640/1112defoliationfoddergrain yieldruminantssilkingsustainable |
| spellingShingle | Giri Raj Paudel Rajan Thapa Enhancing crop-livestock systems: Unveiling the impact of leaf stripping on maize hybrid yield in Sundarbazar-Lamjung, Nepal Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development in the Tropics and Subtropics defoliation fodder grain yield ruminants silking sustainable |
| title | Enhancing crop-livestock systems: Unveiling the impact of leaf stripping on maize hybrid yield in Sundarbazar-Lamjung, Nepal |
| title_full | Enhancing crop-livestock systems: Unveiling the impact of leaf stripping on maize hybrid yield in Sundarbazar-Lamjung, Nepal |
| title_fullStr | Enhancing crop-livestock systems: Unveiling the impact of leaf stripping on maize hybrid yield in Sundarbazar-Lamjung, Nepal |
| title_full_unstemmed | Enhancing crop-livestock systems: Unveiling the impact of leaf stripping on maize hybrid yield in Sundarbazar-Lamjung, Nepal |
| title_short | Enhancing crop-livestock systems: Unveiling the impact of leaf stripping on maize hybrid yield in Sundarbazar-Lamjung, Nepal |
| title_sort | enhancing crop livestock systems unveiling the impact of leaf stripping on maize hybrid yield in sundarbazar lamjung nepal |
| topic | defoliation fodder grain yield ruminants silking sustainable |
| url | https://www.jarts.info/index.php/jarts/article/view/202402239640/1112 |
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