Description
GENERAL INFORMATION
Lucerne also known as “alfalfa” or “rijka” in northen India is a protein rich fodder and considered as “queen of fodder crop”. It is a perennial plant and can supply fodder for 3-4 year in same growing. Along with protein, it is also major source of mineral and calcium. It is a palatable green fodder contain 16-25% of crude protein and 20-30% of fibre. Lucerne is native of South-West Asia. It is a hardy leguminous crop and can survive in drought conditions. It can be easily converted into silage and hay. It is winter season crop and mainly cultivated in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan. In one season 7 to 8 cutting can be taken with average fodder yield of 280 to 320 qtl/acre.
CLIMATE
-
Temperature
15-32°C -
Rainfall
350-400mm400-500mm -
Sowing Temperature
28-32°C -
Harvesting Temperature
15-20°C
SOIL
It can be cultivated on variety of soils but it gives best result when grown on deep and well drained loamy soils. Avoid waterlogged, alkaline and heavy soils for its cultivation.
LAND PREPARATION
Prepared field thoroughly and prepared levelled seed bed. Plough land once with help of disk plough and three times with cultivator. After every ploughing do planking to make seed bed levelled.
SOWING
Time of sowing
Best time for lucerne sowing in All over India, is middle of October.
Spacing
At time of sowing keep row to row distance of 30 cmSowing Depth
sow seeds at depth of 2-4 cm in soil.Method of sowing
For Sowing broadcasting method is used. Before lucerne sowing, broadcast oats@15kg/acre and mix well in soil with help of cultivator.SEED
Seed Rate
Use seed rate of 6 to 8kg for one acre land.FERTILIZER
Fertilizer Requirement (kg/acre)
UREA SSP MURIATE OF POTASH 22 20 Apply if deficiency observed Nutrient Requirement (kg/acre)
NITROGEN PHOSPHORUS POTASH 10 32 – At time of sowing, apply Nitrogen@10kg in form of Urea@22kg, Phosphorus@32kg in form of SSP@200kg per acre.
WEED CONTROL
To keep field weed free, carry out first hoeing one month after sowing. In rainy season weed infestation is high at that time take hoeing operation according to weed intensity.
IRRIGATION
Apply first irrigation, one month after sowing and depending upon soil type and climate, apply remaining irrigations at interval of 15-30 days. No irrigation is needed during rainy season.
PLANT PROTECTION
- Pest and their control:
Alfalfa Aphid: Serious pest of lucerne crop. If infestation is observed, to control take spray of Malathion 50EC@350ml in 150 litre of water per acre.
Lucerne caterpillar, jassid and weevil: If infestation is observed, take spray of Hexavin 50WP@450gm or Malathion 50EC@ 400ml in 150 Ltr of water per acre.
- Disease and Their control:
Rust: If not controlled timely can reduce yield severely. Small brown spots are observed on leaves with black or brown color at centre. If infestation is observed, take spray of Mancozeb (Dithane M-45)@25gm/10 Ltr of water.
Leaf spot: It is mostly found in north and central India. Affected plant turn yellow and leaves gets drop off. If infestation is observed, take spray of Mancozeb (Dithane M-45) or Chlorothalonil@300gm/150 Ltr of water.
HARVESTING
After sowing, crop is ready to harvest for cutting in 75 days. Remaining cuttings are taken at interval of 30-40 days.
POST-HARVEST
When crop is raised for seed production, carry out last cutting in mid-march. When crop is at full blossom stop irrigation, it will help in good seed yield. After pods get dry, complete harvesting immediately to avoid shedding of pods. From one acre 75-100 kg of seed yield is obtained.
- Pest and their control:
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