Author(s): MD. HEDAYETULLAH, C.K. KUNDU, B.BASU AND S. SARKAR

Abstract: This study was conducted to determine the effect of sources of irrigation water on growth and arsenic content in different fodder crops (oats, lucerne, cluster bean, Chinese cabbage, berseem) cultivated in West Bengal, India. Results showed that the source of irrigation had significant impact on dry matter accumulation of fodder crops at various growth stages. Arsenic content in leaves of fodder crops was significantly influenced by source of irrigation. Also, arsenic content in leaves were recorded highest 2.27 ppm in irrigation from shallow tube well water and 2.05 ppm in pond water. Further, arsenic content in leaves were significantly different in the crops studied, lucerne contained the highest arsenic at 2.40 ppm while Chinese cabbage recorded the lowest at 2.01 ppm. It is suggested that arsenic concentration in fodder leaves may be reduced by using pond water for irrigation and cultivating crops with low uptake of arsenic..

Download Full Article: Click Here