Optimization of Biostimulants Application for Phenology and Quality of Oats

HIGHLIGHTS

Chitosan 100 ppm is better than other concentrations for oat yield and quality.

Application of moringa leaf extract ratio at1:40 produced better yield, CP and minerals in oats.

For oat yield and quality traits, application of sea weed extract at 2% and thiourea 400 ppm performed better than other traits.

Overall, fodder yield and quality parameters were enhanced by the application of biostimulants.

Abstract

In modern agriculture the use of biostimulants not only reduces the cost of production but also increase yield and quality of crops without harming environment. The response of fodder oat to biostimulants was evaluated in a pot experiment using four biostimulants at different concentrations i.e Moringa leaf extract at ratio of 1:10, 1:20, 1:30, 1:40, 1:50, Sea weed extract at 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, Thiourea at 100 ppm, 200 ppm, 300 ppm, 400 ppm, 500 ppm and Chitosan at 25 ppm, 50 ppm, 100 ppm, 125 ppm, 150 ppm. Oat crop was treated with biostimulants using foliar application, at two growth stages i.e tillering and booting. Data on various agronomic and quality parameters were recorded and analyzed. Results showed that biostimulants significantly affected phenology and quality of oat. The highest green fodder yield (872.32 g) was observed in the pots treated with 2%Solution of seaweed extract similarly highest dry matter yield was also highest at 170.85 g Interestingly crude protein was highest for thiourea at 400 ppm. In each biostimulant following doses stood out both in terms of yield and quality. In case of moringa leaf extract the ratio of 1:40with 900 g per pot yield and 9.43 % protein, for sea weed extract 2% was better than other doses with 981 g yield and 9.17% protein, for thiourea the 400 ppm was better than other concentrations as it shows highest yield (872.32 g) and crude protein (9.52%) and for chitosan 100 ppm was comparatively better in performance with 964.98 g yield per pot and 9.35% CP. It is concluded from our study that biostimulants improve fodder oat yield and quality.

Keywords:
fodder oat; biostimulant; organic fodder; moringa leaf extract; sea weed extract; chitosan; thiourea