Vol. 7, Issue 10, Part F (2025)

The field experiment was conducted during the Kharif season of 2024 at the Grass Breeding Scheme, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, Dist. Ahilyanagar (Maharashtra) to evaluate the influence of genotypes and row spacing on growth, forage yield and seed quality of Desmanthus (Desmanthus virgatus (L.) Willd.). The treatments consisted of four genotypes (V1: RHDV-19-4, V2: RHDV-19-10, V3: RHDV-19-11, V4: RHDV-19-13) and three row spacings (S1: 30 cm, S2: 45 cm, S3: 60 cm) laid out in a Factorial Randomized Block Design (FRBD) with three replications. The genotype RHDV-19-4 (V1) consistently outperformed the other genotypes, recording the higher green fodder yield (238.91 q ha⁻¹), dry matter yield (74.59 q ha⁻¹), crude protein yield (14.55 q ha⁻¹), crude protein content (19.48%) and dry matter percentage (31.07%). With respect to spacing, the wider row spacing of 60 cm (S3) proved most favorable for forage production, registering the higher green fodder yield (259.15 q ha⁻¹), dry matter yield (79.59 q ha⁻¹) and crude protein yield (15.20 q ha⁻¹). However, genotype × spacing interaction for forage traits was statistically non-significant. For seed yield, V1 (RHDV-19-4) recorded the higher mean seed yield (187.30 kg ha⁻¹), while the spacing of 45 cm (S2) proved optimal (174.46 kg ha⁻¹). The genotype × spacing interaction was significant, with V1 (RHDV-19-4) at 30 cm spacing (S1) producing the maximum absolute seed yield (190.60 kg ha⁻¹). In terms of seed quality, wider spacing (60 cm) recorded superior performance in 1000-seed weight (4.88 g), germination percentage (91.84%) and seedling vigour indices (SVI-I: 969.17; SVI-II: 1993.39). Genotype V1 (RHDV-19-4) also exhibited the best seedling vigour (SVI-I: 929.39; SVI-II: 1924.33). It can be concluded that Desmanthus genotype RHDV-19-4 sown at 30 cm spacing is most suitable for quality seed production, while the same genotype at 60 cm spacing is ideal for achieving higher green forage yield during the Kharif season.