OPTIMIZING FORAGE OAT PRODUCTIVITY AND QUALITY THROUGH SEED INOCULATION AND NITROGEN MANAGEMENT

Abstract

Fodder scarcity and low-quality forage remain major constraints to livestock production in Pakistan, a problem further intensified by rising global fertilizer costs. Utilizing nitrogen-fixing bacteria in combination with optimized nitrogen fertilization presents a promising approach to improve both the yield and nutritional quality of forage crops such as oat. To evaluate this, a field experiment was conducted to examine the effects of seed inoculation and varying nitrogen levels on oat performance. Seeds were inoculated with Azotobacter and Azospirillum, alongside a non-inoculated control, while nitrogen was applied at three rates: 50, 100, and 150 kg N ha⁻¹ (recommended rate). The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications, and data were analyzed using ANOVA, with treatment means compared via the LSD test at a 5% significance level.

Results indicated that inoculation with Azotobacter combined with 150 kg N ha⁻¹ produced the highest agronomic and quality traits, including number of tillers (8.00), plant height (118 cm), crude protein (9.95%), crude fiber (32.32%), and total ash (11.55%). These findings suggest that integrating seed inoculation with nitrogen fertilization can substantially enhance both the yield and nutritive value of oat fodder. Widespread adoption of this strategy could support sustainable and profitable livestock feed production, while further research is warranted to explore additional bacterial strains and nitrogen sources for broader optimization.