LUCERNE -ALFALFALUCERNE -ALFALFA

(Medicago sativa L.)(Medicago sativa L.) Leguminosae familyLeguminosae family Originated in Iran from where it traveled to Originated in Iran from where it traveled to

Arab countries where it was called alfalfa ….Arab countries where it was called alfalfa …. Meaning the best fodderMeaning the best fodder Afterwards it was introduced in Europe and Afterwards it was introduced in Europe and

called lucernecalled lucerne

Then it speard in 1650 A.D. from england to Then it speard in 1650 A.D. from england to North America and new ZealandNorth America and new Zealand

And then in next 100 years it become a And then in next 100 years it become a popular fodder through out the world.popular fodder through out the world.

Lucerne is multicut , perennial ,legume forage Lucerne is multicut , perennial ,legume forage cropcrop

Known as queen of foddersKnown as queen of fodders Proteins 18 percentProteins 18 percent Carbohydrates 11percentCarbohydrates 11percent Fat 8 percentFat 8 percent

Provides green fodder throughout the year Provides green fodder throughout the year especially during the fodder scarcityespecially during the fodder scarcity

May – june and oct- novMay – june and oct- nov

CLIMATE AND SOILCLIMATE AND SOIL

Well adapted to wide range of climatic and soil Well adapted to wide range of climatic and soil conditionsconditions

Best under low rainfall and high sunshineBest under low rainfall and high sunshine Grows well in dry climate on deep well drained loamy Grows well in dry climate on deep well drained loamy

soilsoil pH 6.5-7.0pH 6.5-7.0 Can tolerate extreme heat and coldCan tolerate extreme heat and cold

SEEDBED PREPARTION AND SEEDBED PREPARTION AND MANURINGMANURING

Very good seed bed is requiredVery good seed bed is required 20-30 tonnes of FYM20-30 tonnes of FYM Otherwise 2.5 bags of DAP per hectare are Otherwise 2.5 bags of DAP per hectare are

sufficient.sufficient. Every year after the monsoon season 2.5 bags Every year after the monsoon season 2.5 bags

of potash should be addedof potash should be added

SEED RATE AND SOWING SEED RATE AND SOWING METHODMETHOD

Drill 15-20 kg per hectare seed in lines 45cm Drill 15-20 kg per hectare seed in lines 45cm apart in good watterapart in good watter

SOWING TIMESOWING TIME Crop was sown between Oct 15 to Nov 15Crop was sown between Oct 15 to Nov 15

IRRIGATIONIRRIGATION Needs first irrigation 3 weeks after sowingNeeds first irrigation 3 weeks after sowing 15-20 days interval in winter 15-20 days interval in winter 10-15 days interval in summer10-15 days interval in summer

HarvestingHarvesting Frist cutting should be taken three months Frist cutting should be taken three months

after sowingafter sowing Later cuts may be taken after an interval of 5-6 Later cuts may be taken after an interval of 5-6

weeksweeks Best time for cutting is when 10-20 percent Best time for cutting is when 10-20 percent

flowers have emergedflowers have emerged On average six cuts per year, 100-120 tonnes On average six cuts per year, 100-120 tonnes

green fodder obtained from one hectaregreen fodder obtained from one hectare

SEED PRODUCTIONSEED PRODUCTION Stop cutting after Feb.Stop cutting after Feb. At full blooming no irrigation should be done,At full blooming no irrigation should be done, Other wise over growth may adversely affect Other wise over growth may adversely affect

seed yieldseed yield Crop is ready for harvest by the end of MAY Crop is ready for harvest by the end of MAY

and early JUNEand early JUNE VARIETIESVARIETIES Type-8 Type-8 Type-9Type-9 Type 8x9 is a varietal mixtureType 8x9 is a varietal mixture