|
31 October 2025
|
|
|
മലയാളം
|
|
|
|
|
|
Agriculture >
Forage Crops
|
|
|
|
Crop
Management
|
|
|
|
Crops
|
|
|
|
Tree Fodder
Leucaena leucocephala (Subabul)
It is native to Central and South America. Plant can be grazed directly and is quite
resistant to heavy frequent defoliation. It is a high protein fodder. Due to the
presence of mimosin, quantity fed should not exceed 1/4 of total dry matter fed.
(Source: FAO)
Sesbania sp. (Agathi)
Commonly grown in Tamil Nadu, give yield upto 100 MT/ha/yr. Leaves are used for
human consumption also.
Glyricidia maculata (Seemakonna)
Maculata species is the one used for animal feeding. Can yield upto 150-250
kg/tree a year when the tree is 3 years old.
Desmanthus sp. (shrub)
Soft leafed, it can be used as mixed crop with hybrid napier.
(Source: FAO)
The general habit, yield, other characters, etc. of forage grasses, legumes
and cereals suitable for Kerala conditions
|
Name
|
Common
|
Seed rate
Kg/ha
|
Rainfall
(mm)
|
Soil
Preference
|
Season
|
Fertilizer
|
Yield
TDM/ha
|
Green
Tons/ha
|
|
Andropogon gayanus
|
Gamba
|
6-8
|
500
|
Laterite/clay
|
May-August
|
P/K 40:40 N-30 after each cut
|
12-16
|
60-80
|
|
Brachiaria decumbens
|
Signal grass
|
8-10
|
1000
|
Versatile
|
-do-
|
-do-
|
16-20
|
80-100
|
|
Brachiaria mutica
|
Para grass
|
By slips 40,000/ha
|
1250
|
Versatile, good on heavy types
|
-do-
|
-do-
|
12-16
|
60-80
|
|
Brachiaria ruziziensis
|
Congo signal
|
8-10
|
1500
|
Versatile
|
-do-
|
-do-
|
18-20
|
90-100
|
|
Cenchrus ciliaris
|
Buffel
|
3-4
|
300
|
Light medium textured
|
-do-
|
N-60 after each cut
|
12-14
|
60-70
|
|
Melinis minutiflora
|
Molasses
|
4-6
|
1000
|
Versatile
|
-do-
|
|
10-12
|
50-60
|
|
Panicum maximum
|
Guinea
|
4-7
|
750
|
Versatile
|
-do-
|
|
16-18
|
80-90
|
|
Pennisetum typhoides X P. purpureum
|
Hybrid Napier
|
40,000 cuttings
|
750
|
Versatile
|
-do-
|
|
35-40
|
200-250
|
|
Setaria anceps
|
Setaria
|
3-5
|
750
|
Versatile
|
-do-
|
|
16-20
|
80-100
|
|
Calapagonium muconoides
|
Calapo
|
3-5
|
1200
|
Versatile
|
May-July
|
60kgP 40kgK
|
4-5
|
20-25
|
|
Centrosema pubescens
|
Centro
|
3-5
|
1200
|
Versatile
|
-do-
|
60kgP 40kgK
|
5-6
|
25-30
|
|
Desmodium intortum
|
Desmodium
|
3-5
|
900
|
Versatile
|
-do-
|
60kgP
|
5-6
|
25-30
|
|
Desmodium uncinatum
|
Desmodium
|
3-5
|
900
|
Versatile
|
-do-
|
60kgP 40kgK
|
5-6
|
25-30
|
|
Lab lab purpureus
|
Lablab
|
20-25
|
600
|
Versatile
|
Aug 1st week
|
PK 60:30
|
7-8
|
35-40
|
|
Macroptilium atropurpureum
|
Siratro
|
3-5
|
600
|
Versatile
|
May
|
PK 60:30
|
4-5
|
20-25
|
|
Macroptilium lathyroydes
|
Phasey bean
|
3-5
|
750
|
Versatile
|
August
|
PK 60:30
|
7-8
|
35-40
|
|
Stylosanthes guianensis
|
Stylo
|
7-8
|
800
|
Versatile
|
May
|
60:30
|
7-8
|
35-40
|
|
Stylosanthes hamata
|
Caribban
|
7-8
|
600
|
Well drained
|
May
|
60:30
|
9-10
|
45-50
|
|
Stylosanthes sceabra
|
Schrubby stylo
|
7-8
|
450
|
Versatile
|
May
|
60:30
|
9-10
|
45-200
|
|
Vigna sinensis
|
Cowpea
|
25-30
|
1000
|
Versatile
|
May
|
60-40
|
5-6
|
25-30
|
|
Zea mays
|
Maize
|
25-30
|
3000
|
Versatile
|
May
|
30:60:40
|
9-10
|
45-50
|
|
Euchloena mexicana
|
Teosinte
|
20-25
|
3000
|
Versatile
|
May
|
30:60:40
|
7-8
|
35-40
|
|
Leucaena leucocethala
|
Subabul
|
4-5
|
500
|
Versatile
|
May
|
PK 60:40
|
8-10
|
40-50
|
(Source: Kerala Agricultural University)
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|