Effects of nitrogen levels and frequency of foliage cuttings on the production of foliage and seed of kangkong

Abstract

Abstract : A field experiment on kangkong with the variety BARI gimakalmi.-l was conducted during the two consecutive cropping seasons of 2004-05 and 2005-06 at the Agricultural Research Station, Raikhali, Rangamati Hill District to observe the effect of nitrogen levels and frequency of foliage cuttings on the production of green foliage as well as seed yield of the crop. Twenty-five combinations of treatments consisting five levels of nitrogen (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg/ha) and five levels of cutting (no cutting, one cutting at 30 days after sowing (DAS), two cuttings at 30 and 45 DAS, three cuttings at 30, 45, and 60 DAS) and four cuttings at 30, 45, 60 and 75 DAS) were used in this trial. The combination of nitrogen and frequency of foliage cutting had significant effect on primary branches, foliage yield/plant, foliage yield/ha, number of fruits/plant and seed yield/ha. Application of 150 kg N/ha accompanied by four foliage cuttings gave significantly higher primary branches and foliage weight /plant and thus this combination gave the maximum foliage yield /ha in both the years. Maximum number of fruits/plant and the highest seed yield of kangkong were obtained from the combination of 50 kg N/ha and three foliage cuttings in both the years. Nitrogen at 50 kg/ha coupled with three cuttings also gave the maximum net return of Tk.1,96,430 per hectare with the highest benefit-cost ratio of 4.15. In case of only green foliage, maximum total gross return (Tk. 1,47,950) was obtained from the combination of 150 kg N/ha along with four foliage cuttings.